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St. Michael-Albertville Hoping To Win 'Hockeyville USA' Contest

ALBERTVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) -- With the Minnesota Wild blazing its way through the NHL playoffs, our love for hockey is at a fever pitch.

Whether it's the Wild or the Gophers or the "Mighty Ducks" movies, the state has made a reputation on the sport. And one area specifically is trying to capitalize on its hockey enthusiasm.

St. Michael and Albertville have the largest hockey association in the state. The program may be getting bigger soon. Kraft has named them a finalist in its "Hockeyville USA" contest, which would give them a large donation.

They are amongst four finalists and the only Minnesota team in the running. So why St. Michael-Albertville? When you think of this area you may think of the known wrestling program, but the hockey program is booming.

Around 500 kids had a pep rally Tuesday to try and garner online votes so they can get a second sheet of ice. These cheers aren't for a goal.  In fact there isn't even any ice.

The rink at the St. Michael-Albertville Arena needs repairs, and they want a new one so they are pep rallying some support. Around 500 kids play there, and they all share this rink when it actually has ice.

"There's nothing that takes the place of actual practice on ice so it's pretty difficult, late-night practice, getting home at 10:30, quarter to 11," Dennis Sjoberg said.

A parent of three, he often makes 45-minute treks to get his sons ice time.

"We're growing, which makes ice time even harder and harder to get," Sjoberg said.

It's a problem, and Kraft foods may be able to help. After a citizen wrote a letter, the program is one of four finalists to win a Hockeyville contest and start building a second rink.

"We want to win. We are the state of hockey, we deserve to win," Josh Opiola, the president of the St. Michael-Albertville Hockey Association, said.

The head of the association is helping garner enthusiasm, which seems to be plentiful.

"Hockey to this community is everything, we love it and everyone around us loves it, it's been fantastic," Opiola said.

The hope is to expand the arena to offer more seats and a second sheet of ice. For these kids it seems nothing could be cooler.

The group feels their stiffest competition is Decatur, Ill., a much bigger town. To win, they say they need to rally support from all over the state.

How To Vote

There are three ways to vote in the Kraft Hockeyville USA contest. Fans can text "Albertville" to 35350, call in a vote at 1-855-255-5975, or visit KraftHockeyville.com and vote online. Voting is open to all those 13 years of age and older, and voters can submit 50 votes via EACH method, for a total of 150 entries each day. Further details are on the Kraft Hockeyville website.

Supporters in STMA have also set up a website with information about the contest at VoteSTMA.com, and a Facebook Event site with voting reminders and instructions is also available.

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