The Veterans Day Showcase, hosted by Lake Effect Hockey, returns to Erie this Friday through Sunday, bringing more than 30 teams and 450 players from Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania to compete across four of Erie County’s ice facilities.
Games will be played at the Erie Insurance Arena, Erie Sports Park, Mercyhurst Ice Center and Flo Fabrizio Ice Center. The tournament begins on Friday at noon and concludes on Sunday afternoon. Teams are competing in 12U and 14U divisions, with each team guaranteed four games. Games will be officiated by USA Hockey officials, and first-place teams will receive championship banners.
“The Veterans Day Showcase has established itself as one of the region’s premier youth hockey tournaments, bringing together teams and athletes. The tournament generates significant economic impact for Erie County through hotel room stays, supporting local businesses, and introducing new visitors to the county,” said Jason Fowler, tournament director of the Veterans Day Showcase. “Lake Effect Hockey is proud to play a role in growing sports tourism and helping position Erie County as a premier sports destination.”
Also taking place this weekend is the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship at Penn State Behrend. Games are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The tournament marks the women’s soccer program’s fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and the first time in program history that Penn State Behrend will host an NCAA Championship competition. The women’s soccer team earned its place in the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship following an undefeated regular season.
Gannon University will also host NCAA Division II soccer at McConnell Family Stadium this weekend. The NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional will feature a women’s soccer matchup between Slippery Rock and Frostburg State on Friday at noon followed by the second-round game on Sunday at noon. Also on Sunday, the Gannon men’s soccer team will face Concord in the NCAA Super Region 1 Tournament Second Round at 3 p.m.
