Puck Drops on CIHL Playoffs as Battle for RBC Asia Cup Begins

HONG KONG, March 19, 2014 (Press-News.org) Hong Kong, February 27, 2014 - The battle for the 2013-2014 RBC Asia Cup begins Saturday as the CIHL playoffs get underway with the best-of-three semi-final series. In the first of two games this Saturday at Mega Ice in Kowloon Bay, the Galaxy Macau Aces, who finished the season as the first seeds, face off against the AsiaXPAT Kowloon Warriors, the inaugural 2011-2012 CIHL champions who have won their last five games to finish just a point out of third place. The second game of the evening features the defending CIHL champions, the RBC South China Sharks against the Quam Hong Kong Tycoons.

The best-of-three series will determine the two teams that face-off in the winner-take-all CIHL final on Saturday, March 22. And while the Aces, who have had an incredible regular season, are a natural favourite to continue their success into the post-season, the Warriors, Sharks and Tycoons are all strong teams with plenty of fight remaining as the season comes down to the wire in Hong Kong's first elite contact ice hockey league.

All eyes will be on taking the all-important first win this weekend as the teams battle for the opportunity to compete for the RBC Asia Cup. With league sponsor RBC on board for a third straight year, the league has continued to reach new heights as the teams become more and more competitive and the CIHL's community initiatives draw talents from around the world and some of Hong Kong's brightest talents.

Now in its second year, the CIHL Intern Program invites graduated student-athletes to work and live in Hong Kong, while playing in the CIHL and coaching youth hockey. The league's long-standing U18 program provides opportunities for the next generation of Hong Kong ice hockey players to gain invaluable hockey experience, with their presence and development making the CIHL even more competitive.

Hong Kong ice hockey fans are sure to be treated to the same thrilling, on-ice entertainment they've watched all regular season long and through the RBC Adopt a School program, the CIHL is looking forward to welcoming lucky students from Hong Kong schools to be part of playoff action.

"This season has proven to be the most competitive in CIHL history and anticipation for a great CIHL semi-final series is high," CIHL co-founder and director Greg Smyth said. "The four teams will all be battling hard to get the edge and the game one win on Saturday so we're expecting plenty of hard-hitting, fast-paced and entertaining action. It's been a fantastic regular season and we're looking forward to showing CIHL fans an even more exciting playoff series and hope to see Hong Kong ice hockey fans out in full force Saturday at Mega Ice."

Don't miss out on CIHL playoff action, which begins Saturday. The second week of CIHL semi-finals is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, while the semi-final closing third game will take place on Saturday, March 15. For tickets, please contact Devin at info@cihl.com.

About the CIHL

The CIHL is Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China's first elite contact ice hockey league. Founded in 2010, the CIHL provides high-level, entertaining hockey, while working to develop future generations of Chinese hockey players.

The Royal Bank of Canada is the official league sponsor for the 2013-2014 CIHL season. This year, the league will feature four teams: the Quam Hong Kong Tycoons, AsiaXPAT Kowloon Warriors, Galaxy Macau Aces and South China Sharks.

Saturday nights from October 5, 2013 through March 22, 2014, the teams will face off at Mega Ice for two back-to-back games. Family entertainment, community events and on-ice kids' competitions are aimed at making Saturdays a true "Hockey Night in Hong Kong". The official website of the CIHL is http://www.cihl.com and a free iPhone app is available through the iTunes store.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada's largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and are among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, and investor services and wholesale banking on a global basis. We employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 44 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in sponsorships.