Fhl Revises Final Leg Of Season
February 3, 2013 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
The Federal Hockey League, in its 3rd professional season, has announced the final leg of the season with opponent revisions and the playoff format.
With the relocation of the Cape Cod Bluefins to upstate New York and the Outlaws on ice franchise being taken over by the Federal Hockey League, the FHL Board of Governors and League Officials have reviewed the remaining home dates for each organization (Danbury, Danville, Dayton, and 1000 Islands) and have determined that with each of the four existing teams picking up additional road games, the home dates for each club can be completed for 34 of the remaining 36 Federal Hockey League dates. With the 2 conflicting games, the FHL will use the Pennsylvania Blues. The Blues final game will be Sunday, February 17th in Danbury.
FHL Commissioner, Don Kirnan commented, "As a group, our Board of Governors and staff came together and reviewed numerous potential scenario's on how we could most effectively complete each team's home dates without compromising the integrity of our schedule and making it the most cost effective, competitive and practical solution."
Vice Commissioner, Andrew Richards stated, "The Board of Governors in this league made a strong statement to the fans of this league over the last few months. Each member felt protecting the home dates for their fans, supporters, and sponsors, was the only goal they had. While adding additional road games and effectively supporting two other member teams, all ownership groups and league officials agreed that regardless of the added cost this was the move to make.
In an effort to effectively complete all home dates, the BOG and league officials all agreed upon a revision to the existing playoff format. The four franchises will be broken into East and West Divisions. Danbury and 1000 Islands comprise the East while Danville and Dayton the West. Following the regular season, all teams will meet in a first round best of 5 series. The winner of those matchups will then meet for the 3rd Commissioner's Cup.
FHL Director of Hockey Operations, Phil DeFranco commented, "With the way the schedule fell, Danbury has three dates on the last weekend and 1000 Islands will have completed their home schedule. We were faced with a position where we had to complete those games in Danbury and could not find a format that would fit other than the one we have chosen. While certainly rare for a team to play the first three games of a best of five series on the road, it is not the first time a league has had to make adjustments to a format."
Board of Governors / Team Owners Barry Soskin, Nicole Kirnan, Alan Friedman, and Herm Sorcher released a joint statement, "We have seen a great commitment from all the fans throughout the league to support our franchises". Our message to them to today is "we are committed to our markets, we are committed to our mission, and we look forward to what is going to be a great finish to our regular season and an incredible playoff run". Thank you for your continued support as we grow our league."
The Federal Hockey League, in its three seasons has drawn over 400,000 fans to its venues. In its 3rd season, the FHL owners have paid out over 2 million dollars in salaries to players and coaches. With over 150 player call-ups to the ECHL, Central Hockey League, Europe and the American Hockey League, we continue to provide AA and AAA league's the players and coaches they need on a daily basis. The FHL offers quality affordable fun family entertainment with a high energy quality product on the ice. Come check us out at www.thefhl.net .
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