Abbotsford Heat Announce 2011-12 AHL Regular Season Schedule

Published on August 18, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


The Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League is pleased to present the 2011/12 regular season schedule as released by the AHL today.

The puck drops on the Heat's 2011/12 season on Friday, October 7 in Lake Erie vs the Monsters. The Heat's Home Opener will be Friday October 14 vs the Rockford IceHogs, affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. The first 5,000 fans through the gates on opening night will receive a free Heat hat. This will mark the first instance of 2 games in 3 nights with the rematch on Sunday October 16 at 1pm.

With the AHL divisional realignment and schedule modifications this past summer, the 2011/12 schedule places the Heat in a great position for success this season. This has resulted in fewer instances of back to back home games for the Heat and increases the number of weekend dates with 28 of the 37 played Friday through Sunday. There will be 13 Friday night match ups, 8 Saturday night games and 7 Sunday mid-day games. Sunday home games feature an early start time of 1pm Pacific. Several Heat player and personnel moves since last season has the team anticipating an exciting on ice product for hockey fans of all ages.

"This is a real bonus for our fans and for our hockey team," commented Heat President, Ryan Walter. "We recognize that for many of our fans, devoting two consecutive nights to hockey is a big commitment. While back to back games have not been eliminated, this schedule goes a long way to making it more convenient for our fans to attend both games."

"From a hockey standpoint, this can become an advantage. The ability for our team to play on split nights will keep them fresh for both games. In addition, with more fans in the stands, we are confident that the AESC will be a tough place for our opponents to win," said Walter.

The Vancouver Canucks new AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, visit the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre (AESC) on 4 occasions: January 24 and 25 as well as March 29 and 30. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

The Heat play 38 regular season home games featuring one date in Calgary at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday, February 9, 2012. This will mark the 2nd annual game played in Calgary vs the Heat's division rival, the Oklahoma City Barons (affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers) in a battle of Alberta - AHL style. The Barons and Heat will take one day off and hit the ice again in a rematch at the AESC on Saturday, February 11.

The Heat are excited to partner with Abbotsford School District #34 to host a 'school day game' on Tuesday, March 6 vs the Houston Aeros. Special hockey themed programming will be incorporated into the school curriculum to ensure it is both educational and fun for the students who attend this game. Fans are encouraged to note the special start time which is 11:00am.

The Heat's Canadian AHL rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs and Toronto Marlies, each visit the AESC twice during the season. The Bulldogs will visit on Friday December 16 and Sunday December 18, while Toronto will be in Abbotsford on Friday April 13 and Sunday April 15. This last Marlies visit is Fan Appreciation Day and features a 1pm start.

The Heat is excited to announce the return of the ever-popular Loonie Toonie Dog 'n Brew nights at select Friday home games. Fans can purchase $1 hot dogs and $2 beer* during these games.

(*Must be 19+ to purchase alcohol. ID is required. Please drink responsibly and plan for a safe ride home.)

The public on sale date for single game tickets will be announced in the coming weeks. Subscription ticket packages including full and half season tickets, along with 5 and 21 flex ticket packages are on sale now.

OCTOBER

Friday 10/7/11 @ Lake Erie 7:30 PM

Saturday 10/8/11 @ Lake Erie 6:00 PM

Friday 10/14/11 Rockford 7:00 PM

Sunday 10/16/11 Rockford 1:00 PM

Friday 10/21/11 Milwaukee 7:00 PM

Saturday 10/22/11 Milwaukee 7:00 PM

Wednesday 10/26/11 @ Toronto 7:00 PM

Friday 10/28/11 @ Grand Rapids 7:00 PM

Sunday 10/30/11 @ Hamilton 3:00 PM

APRIL

Tuesday 4/3/12 Rochester 7:00 PM

Wednesday 4/4/12 Rochester 7:00 PM

Friday 4/6/12 @ Charlotte 7:00 PM

Sunday 4/8/12 @ Charlotte 3:00 PM

Friday 4/13/12 Toronto 7:00 PM

Sunday 4/15/12 Toronto 1:00 PM

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 11/1/11 @ Hamilton 7:30 PM

Thursday 11/3/11 Oklahoma City 7:00 PM

Saturday 11/5/11 Oklahoma City 7:00 PM

Thursday 11/10/11 @ Houston 7:05 PM

Friday 11/11/11 @ Texas 7:00 PM

Saturday 11/12/11 @ Texas 6:00 PM

Tuesday 11/15/11 @ San Antonio 10:30 AM

Friday 11/18/11 @ Oklahoma City 7:00 PM

Saturday 11/19/11 @ Oklahoma City 7:00 PM

Sunday 11/20/11 @ Houston 5:05 PM

Friday 11/25/11 San Antonio 7:00 PM

Sunday 11/27/11 San Antonio 1:00 PM

Tuesday 11/29/11 @ Milwaukee 7:00 PM

JANUARY

Friday 1/6/12 Grand Rapids 7:00 PM

Saturday 1/7/12 Grand Rapids 7:00 PM

Tuesday 1/10/12 @ San Antonio 7:00 PM

Wednesday 1/11/12 @ Texas 7:30 PM

Saturday 1/14/12 @ Oklahoma City 7:00 PM

Sunday 1/15/12 @ Oklahoma City 4:00 PM

Monday 1/16/12 @ San Antonio 4:00 PM

Friday 1/20/12 Charlotte 7:00 PM

Saturday 1/21/12 Charlotte 7:00 PM

Tuesday 1/24/12 Chicago 7:00 PM

Wednesday 1/25/12 Chicago 7:00 PM

FEBRUARY

Thursday 2/2/12 @ Rochester 7:05 PM

Friday 2/3/12 @ Rochester 7:35 PM

Saturday 2/4/12 @ Toronto 5:00 PM

Thursday 2/9/12 Oklahoma City* 7:00 PM

Saturday 2/11/12 Oklahoma City 7:00 PM

Friday 2/17/12 Houston 7:00 PM

Saturday 2/18/12 Houston 7:00 PM

Tuesday 2/21/12 @ Peoria 7:00 PM

Friday 2/24/12 @ Milwaukee 7:00 PM

Saturday 2/25/12 @ Chicago 7:00 PM

Sunday 2/26/12 @ Peoria 5:00 PM

Wednesday 2/29/12 @ Rockford 7:05 PM

MARCH

Friday 3/2/12 Texas 7:00 PM

Sunday 3/4/12 Texas 1:00 PM

Tuesday 3/6/12 Houston 11:00 AM

Wednesday 3/7/12 Houston 7:00 PM

Friday 3/9/12 Peoria 7:00 PM

Sunday 3/11/12 Peoria 1:00 PM

Tuesday 3/13/12 @ Houston 7:05 PM

Friday 3/16/12 @ San Antonio 7:00 PM

Saturday 3/17/12 @ Houston 7:35 PM

Monday 3/19/12 @ Texas 7:30 PM

Saturday 3/24/12 San Antonio 7:00 PM

Sunday 3/25/12 San Antonio 1:00 PM

Thursday 3/29/12 Chicago 7:00 PM

Friday 3/30/12 Chicago 7:00 PM

DECEMBER

Friday 12/2/11 @ Chicago 7:30 PM

Saturday 12/3/11 @ Rockford 7:05 PM

Sunday 12/4/11 @ Chicago 4:00 PM

Friday 12/9/11 Lake Erie 7:00 PM

Saturday 12/10/11 Lake Erie 7:00 PM

Friday 12/16/11 Hamilton 7:00 PM

Sunday 12/18/11 Hamilton 1:00 PM

Wednesday 12/21/11 @ Grand Rapids 7:00 PM

Thursday 12/22/11 @ Chicago 7:00 PM

Thursday 12/29/11 Texas 7:00 PM

Friday 12/30/11 Texas 7:00 PM

All times Local.

*Game played at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

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American Hockey League Stories from August 18, 2011


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