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Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs Chix with Stix women's hockey team will host the Women's Association of Colorado Hockey state tournament starting Friday at Howelsen Ice Arena.

The Chix with Stix will be one of eight teams competing for the title in the B1 division. Other teams participating include the Silverwolves of Colorado Springs, the Clash of Westminster, Colorado College, University of Denver, Left Hand Brewsers of Westminster, DWHL Spitfires of Denver and Fort Collins Flames. The competition begins Friday at 4 p.m. when the Spitfires open play against the Brewsers.

The tournament continues play through Sunday. Saturday's games run all day starting a 6 a.m. with the last game slated for 9 p.m.

Sunday will feature the consolation and championship games.

The Chix with Stix will play a minimum of four games with the first one Friday at 5:30 p.m. against the University of Denver. Steamboat will play three games in pool play before playing a crossover game with the other pool.

The Chix come into the tournament as the fourth seed with a 9-9-2 record in divisional play and an 11-9-2 record overall. The Chix with Stix are undefeated in their last six contests, going 4-0-2. The Silverwolves are the No. 1 seed. Steamboat lost twice - 4-0 and 4-1 - to the Silverwolves this season.

Team spokeswoman and player Riley Polumbus said the tournament should present a full slate of competitive games.

While the Silverwolves are the clear No. 1 seed, Polumbus said the other seven teams are very close to each other in terms of ability.

"Except for the Silverwolves, everyone has been pretty even," Polumbus said.

Besides Polumbus, who tore her ACL skiing, the Chix with Stix should have a full compliment of players. Polumbus said players often were forced to miss away games during the season.

This time, though, the Chix with Stix should have the benefit of playing at home with a full roster.

"We're at full strength," she said. "We're playing on our home ice, and having that support system is certainly going to give us an edge."

Admission to the tournament is free.