The Central Plains Female Capitals are heading to Winnipeg this weekend for the Shaftesbury Winter Classic tournament.

Capitals head coach Ferdi Nelissen says the exhibition tournament will be a good opportunity for the team to play more games.

"We're getting 4 to 5 games for sure against teams we don't necessarily see all the time...it's a good test and it just fills the void a bit and gives us some more games...we have to come to play because they're all good teams there. It's a 16 team event and I don't know how many people there will be watching, scouts wise, but I'm sure there will be a few assistant coaches watching and that'll be an opportunity for the girls to get looked at as well, but It's about playing hockey and making sure we get enough games in before we go into playoffs."

The Capitals first game in the tournament is Friday morning at 10 against Regina, at the MTS Iceplex.