#VisaCanada Understands that Sometimes - #HockeyLoveHurts…

Canadian fans and their friends can make it to the Stanley Cup® Final, even if their team doesn't

TORONTO, April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Hockey fans are some of the most passionate and loyal fans alive, spending each season riding the incredible highs and disappointing lows that come along with true dedication to the game.

This year, Visa, a proud sponsor of the NHL®, is once again celebrating this unique mix of passion and loyalty with the return of its Hockey Love Hurts campaign. Visa knows that sometimes "Hockey Love Hurts" as hockey fans go through ups and downs with their favourite teams, often getting their hearts "broken" in the process.  To ease the pain, Visa is ensuring that fans across the country have a chance of attending the Stanley Cup® Final, even if their favourite team doesn't.

Getting to the Stanley Cup Final has never been so easy!

Throughout April, Canadian Visa cardholders are automatically entered to win a trip to Game One of the Stanley Cup Final for themselves and 10 of their friends every time they use their Visa card.  No morning practices or perfect slap shot required.  Instead fans can earn their trip to see Lord Stanley's Cup while purchasing weekly groceries or even that morning cup of coffee.

Cardholders in Canada who have reached the age of majority in the province or territory they reside in can become the most popular person in Canada just by using their Visa card on everyday purchases. Hockey fans can also visit www.hockeylovehurts.ca to watch a Hockey Love Hurts video, download an app that allows them to draft the roster of 10 friends they would take with them if they won the grand prize, and get full contest details.

Celebrating hockey

As a partner of the NHL and NHLPA in Canada since 2008, Visa works to bring fans unique hockey experiences that capture the excitement of the sport and facilitate their love of the game.

"As hockey lovers, we understand the emotional connection fans have to their favourite teams," said Brenda Woods, Head of Marketing, Visa Canada. "With that passion in mind, we are thrilled to be celebrating Canadians' love for the sport, offering cardholders from across the country (and ten of their friends) the chance to attend the Stanley Cup Final."

The Hockey Love Hurts contest runs from April 1^st to 30, 2012 at 11:59 pm. ET. No purchase necessary to enter. For more information and complete contest rules, visit hockeylovehurts.ca or Visa.ca.

NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark Stanley Cup are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League.  NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams.  All Rights Reserved.

About Visa

Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world's most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 20,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa's innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

SOURCE VISA Canada Corporation

Video with caption: "Video: Hockey Love Hurts ". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7QMdpmfvVs

Image with caption: "Hockey Love Hurts (CNW Group/VISA Canada Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120410_C4106_PHOTO_EN_12075.jpg

Image with caption: "Win a trip to the Stanley Cup® Final for you and 10 friends. (CNW Group/VISA Canada Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120410_C4106_PHOTO_EN_12085.jpg