B2 Networks to Broadcast Women's Beanpot

BOSTON -- The Beanpot Tournament and B2 Networks announced today that the 2008 Women's Beanpot Tournament will be broadcast live via B2 Networks. The first B2 Networks broadcast of the famous tournament comes in conjunction with the event's 30th anniversary. The semifinals will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, with the consolation and championship games to follow on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 at Boston University's Walter Brown Arena.
 
"I am so pleased with the way B2 Networks has come through for this special event," said Tournament Director Joe Bertagna. "A 30th anniversary for a women's college hockey tournament is rare. B2 Networks will now make it possible for fans of women‚s hockey, including many past Beanpot participants, to follow the action and enjoy seeing how far the event has come."
 
Bertagna, who also serves as the commissioner of the Hockey East Association, coached Harvard in the first Women's Beanpot Tournament in 1979.
 
The tournament, which is played for Boston area bragging rights in addition to the Beanpot Trophy, features teams from Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern. Northeastern has the lead with 14 Beanpot Tournament championships, while Harvard is close behind with 11.
 
"B2 Networks is delighted to partner with a hockey tournament as prestigious as the Women's Beanpot," stated Richard Brosal, B2 Networks Executive Vice President for Business Operations and Marketing. "As a company that got its start in the world of hockey, it is a privilege to be able to bring this event to a worldwide audience. It is made even more special by the fact that this is the 30th anniversary of the Women‚s Beanpot, which is a real landmark for women's athletics."
 
Tuesday's semifinals will match top-ranked Harvard against Northeastern at 5:00 p.m. EST, with Boston College and Boston University to follow at 8:00 p.m. EST. The consolation and championship games will faceoff on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST, respectively.
 
Fans can purchase an individual game pass for $7.00 (US). Anyone wishing to catch all four games can purchase a $20.00 (US) tournament pass. In order to view the games, fans will need a high-speed internet connection and the current version of Windows Media Player. Purchases can be made at http://www.b2tv.com/ <http://www.b2tv.com> , http://www.beanpothockey.com/ <http://www.beanpothockey.com>  or the women's page on http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/ <http://www.hockeyeastonline.com> .
 
B2 Networks
B2 Networks is a premier provider of reliable and secure international television and pay-per-view broadcasting systems. Our worldwide network of arenas, stadiums, local venues and data centers are currently in use to distribute live sports and events to personal computers, television screens, mobile devices and commercial venues around the world. Working with organizations such as the AHL, ECHL, NLL, IHL, USHL, NAHL, Arena Football Leagues and selected NCAA and NAIA conferences and member institutions, B2 Networks has established itself as a leader in innovative global direct to home, mobile and television broadcasting. For the B2 Networks' Programming Guide visit http://www.b2tv.com/ <http://www.b2tv.com> , or for information about B2 Networks, visit http://www.b2now.com/ <http://www.b2now.com> .

Women's Beanpot
The Beanpot is one of the longest-running women's tournaments in all of college sports. Just as the first two Mondays of February have become fixtures on the calendar for the men's Beanpot, the opening pair of Tuesdays each February are reserved for a showdown of Boston's finest women's hockey teams. For years, this battle for Boston bragging rights has been dominated by Northeastern and Harvard, but the prominence of women's hockey continues to grow and there is parity across the sport and the Beanpot like never before. In 2006, Boston College won the women's Beanpot for the first time, ending a seven-year run of dominance by Harvard. BC repeated as champion in 2007 with a 6-1 win over BU, the first time since 1981 the final featured the Eagles and Terriers. For more information about the Beanpot, visit http://www.beanpothockey.com/ <http://www.beanpothockey.com> .