Tickets for what promises to be possibly the greatest ice hockey game ever played in Northern Ireland have gone on sale in Belfast as fans eagerly look forward to getting their hands on pairs of tickets to see the Belfast Giants take on the Boston Bruins in the Bruins first ever match outside of North America.

The announcement was made by NIO Minister Arlene Foster on behalf of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board which has provided support and sponsorship for the much anticipated game.

The game is also being held to honour the ten year anniversary of the Belfast Odyssey ice hockey rink and stadium, which has played host to Belfast’s first team since it first opened.

The big game is expected to attract over 4,500 out of state visitors and generate over £800,000 into the local economy - it was also partly sponsored by Belfast City Council.

The Northern Irish minister in charge of tourism told the Belfast Telegraph that: “The visit of the Boston Bruins is great news for Northern Ireland and will attract a huge boost to the tourism industry. “This will be the first time that the National Hockey League is playing here and provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland as a top tourist destination.”

The Chairman of the Odyssey Trust Company, which was instrumental in winning the match for Belfast, said that: “We are delighted that the Boston Bruins, who are one of the original National Hockey League teams, have chosen the Odyssey as the first venue in their European tour. We are extremely proud of our Belfast Giants team and the securing of this game is another major achievement in the team’s ten year history and another brilliant milestone in the successful history of the Odyssey.”

"It'll be awesome ... It'll be unbelievable," Bruins forward Shawn Thornton told the Telegraph, “I've been talking about it since we first heard about it,” he said.

Tickets are on sale from Ticketmaster on 0870 2434455, or the Odyssey Box Office on 028 9073 9074. Ticket prices range from £40. For more information or to book online visit www.belfastgiants.com or www.ticketmaster.ie.