The Pirates will open their 19th season of competition on the road against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Saturday, October 8th at 7 p.m. The high-flying action will open at home for the 35th season of AHL action at the Cumberland County Civic Center, on Saturday, October 15th when the Manchester Monarchs visit in a 7 p.m. start, featuring a JobsinME.com Magnetic Schedule giveaway. All 38 home games will be played at the Civic Center, with 27 weekend games. Saturday Night is Hockey Night in Portland will take place 14 times during the course of the season while the Pirates will also play nine Friday games and four Sunday games.
“This season’s schedule provides a balanced blend of dates and start times in response to what our fans have been telling us over the past few seasons,” said Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek. “Additionally, we have enhanced traditional favorites on the promotional side of our business with exciting new programs and activities to improve the fan experience and begin a new era of Portland Pirates hockey, Phoenix Coyotes style!”
Divisional Rivalries
With the new AHL divisional realignment for the 2011-12 season, the Pirates will continue their traditional rivalries in the Atlantic Division with the Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings), Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins), and Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks). The Pirates will battle Manchester and Worcester a total of 12 times each (six on home ice and six on the road), in addition to facing off with Providence a total of 10 times. New to the AHL and Atlantic Division this season, the Newfoundland-based St. John’s IceCaps franchise (Winnipeg Jets) will square off with the Pirates eight times during the regular season.
Collectible Bobblehead Series
Returning to the Cumberland County Civic Center for the 2011-12 season is the popular Pirates Collectible Bobblehead series. On three Friday game dates this season, the Pirates will again be giving away the likenesses of 2011 Hobey Baker Award recipient Andy Miele (January 20th), veteran defenseman Dean Arsene (February 3rd), and goaltender Curtis McElhinney (March 2nd).
Community Support
The Pirates will also continue its commitment to local community causes and initiatives during their home schedule of games. The fourth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game, sponsored by Maine Medical Center, will be played on Saturday, October 22nd against Providence at 7 p.m. Members of the Pirates will be sporting special “Pink” jerseys and socks during the game. Group tickets to this game are being sold at $15/ticket, with $5 from each ticket being donated to breast cancer research. The Pirates have set a goal of raising $10,000 through the sale of these group tickets.
On Saturday, November 12th against Providence at 7 p.m., the Pirates will host a special Salute to Armed Forces Night, where all of the men and women who have served (or are currently serving) as members of the United States Armed Forces will be recognized and offered discounted tickets.
The Pirates will also be hosting three unique “FUNraiser” nights to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Friday, October 21st against the Adirondack Phantoms), American Heart Association (Saturday, February 4th against the defending Calder Cup champion Binghamton Senators at 7 p.m.) and Autism Awareness (Wednesday, April 11th against the Connecticut Whale at 6:30 p.m.).
For tickets and additional information to any of these charity-driven promotional nights, visit portlandpirates.com or contact the Pirates office at 207-828-4665 x350.
Matinee Action
The Pirates will host two holiday matinee games (1 p.m. start times) during the season on January 2nd against Connecticut (New Year’s Day matinee) and February 20th against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (President’s Day) giving families, who have the day off from work or school, the opportunity to experience some of the great action and entertainment that Pirates hockey has to offer.
Also included in the schedule is the Pirates third annual School Day Game, presented by Irving Oil, facing off at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6th against the Manchester Monarchs. Last season, more than 20 Maine schools and nearly 4,000 students took a break from class to experience a fun and educational afternoon with the Pirates. This special educational day features interactive learning activities that promote physical activities and living a healthy lifestyle.
Intermission Excitement
New for 2011-12! The Portland Pirates are proud to introduce new and exciting on-ice promotions throughout the entire home schedule, including the Summit Adventure Hamster Ball Series, Broomball and Bench Buddies program.
Don’t Forget to Mark Your Calendar!
Other featured events and promotions scheduled for the upcoming season include the highly anticipated annual Kid’s New Year’s Celebration on Saturday, December 31st against Worcester at 5:30 p.m. The game, an expected sellout, will mark the 17th season the Pirates have celebrated the bringing in of a New Year featuring New England’s largest indoor fireworks display at the conclusion of the game. All fans are encouraged to celebrate with the Pirates in a special “Green Night” on St. Patrick’s Day (Saturday, March 17th at 7 p.m.) against Bridgeport where Pirates players will be wearing festive green jerseys. During the course of the season, six special Student Achiever Nights will be featured (November 19th, December 17th and 26th, January 14th, February 4th, and March 10th) to recognize students who have performed at a high level in the classroom. Also, save the date for two Post Game Skates with the team, presented by Mercy Hospital and Steele Hill Resorts, on December 18th and February 26th, a Valentine’s Day Date Night game slated for February 15th, Irving Oil Day of Hockey to benefit the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital on February 26th, the Pirates Hall of Fame Induction Night presented by UNUM to be played on March 10th, Time Warner Cable Hat giveaway scheduled for March 11th, and the annual Shirts off Their Backs/Team Awards and Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Creative Awards, on April 13th.
Now is the time to cash in on great savings by purchasing discounted ticket plans and advance tickets for the Pirates 2011-12 season. Ticket packages are available to meet all budgets and schedules. Season Tickets are now on sale with great seats still available for the 2011-2012 season. For the first time ever, Full Season Ticket Holders will receive a commemorative Season Ticket Holder Jersey from the Portland Pirates. To become a new Full Season Ticket Holder, or to upgrade your 20 or 12-game plan to a Full Season Ticket plan, contact the Pirates’ Ticket Department at 207.282.4665 ext. 350.
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