Inside the Privateers

2011-2012 Schedule Break Down

One of the most exciting times of the off-season in any sport is when the schedule for the upcoming season is released! The schedule release gives a chance for fans to plan out which games they'll attend, analyze its degree of difficulty, and to map out the road to a title.

With the season still just about two months away, I thought we should breakdown the Privateers schedule and take a look at how championship will be won! To see the entire schedule for yourself, please click here.

OCTOBER
The Privateers open 2011-12 on the road with back to back games at fresh to the Federal Hockey League Danville. Danville's first ever game in the league will come against the Boys from the Bay. Not only is it a first for Danville, but it's a first for 1000 Islands Privateers head coach and general manager Marc LeFebvre! LeFebvre, who took over afterMike Elberty stepped down, makes his coaching debut with the new look Privateers against Danville in Illinois. The Dashers hail from Illinois, making this the longest road trip of the season for 1000 Islands, and for every other FHL team for that matter. Year two will kick off after a 14 hour trip (over 800 miles), luckily the Privateers will get two games out of the trip. Hopefully it's a rude welcoming to the FHL for Danville.

- Prior to the opening games in Danville, the Privateers will play a home slate of exhibition games. Included in that schedule will be the Ft. Drum Mountaineers. Not only is this a great way for the fans to get a chance to salute the soliders, but it just so happens that the Mountaineers can play! That will be a great way to gear up for 2011-12 for 1000 Islands.

NOVEMBER
The home opener comes Nov. 4 at the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center against another FHL newbie, the Green Mountain Rock Crushers. This will be the first chance for the home fans to see LeFebvre and other new additions. The real fun, however, begins later in the month when the Privateers face off with chief rival, and defending champ,Akwesasne! After battling throughout the season and playoffs last year, 1000 Islands should be ready for the Warriors in 2011-12. The Warriors and the Privateers will lace it up against each for the first time Nov. 11 at Akwesasne and Nov. 12 in the Bay. 

- Novmeber will see 1000 Islands play 8 times at the Recreation Center, including an end of the month four game home stand. The Privateers will also play Brooklyn for the first time this season (Nov. 23). Although the name is new, it's the same Aviators team that finished the last year with the best regular season record. The team dropped New York in favor of Brooklyn, maybe hoping to capitlize on marketing, or maybe to change the karma attached to last year's loss in the playoffs.

DECEMBER
The Merry Month will be a busy one for the Privateers! 1000 Islands will play a total of 14 games in December, including a New Year's Eve battle with another new addition to the FHL, the Outlaws of New Jersey. The Privateers will end 2011 looking for a victory against the Outlaws in possibly the coolest named arena in the league, the Ice Vault.

- A few games prior to that tilt in Jersey, 1000 Islands will be at home at the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center  for back to back games against Akwesasne (Dec. 27 - 28). What better way to shake of the post-holiday blues than to head to the Bay and watch the Privateers take on the defending champs? There may be better ways out there, but I can't think of any! By the time these two rivals face off late in the month, key players will emerge and roles on the team will be known. That early season feeling out process will be long gone.

JANUARY
The North Country hockey fan will be excited for the new year as the Privateers will play 9 of their 13 games in the first month of 2012 at home in the Bay! January is crucial period of the season that separates the contenders from the pretenders, having that many games in the comfy confines of the Recreation Center will be a nice advantage. Especially if the crowds turn out like they did last season!

- The Privateers will have an early 3 game home stand against Brooklyn, back to back games, and against Danville (Jan. 6 - 12). The middle of the month will bring 4 straight in the Bay against Cape Cod, Danville, Green Mountain, and another game with the Dashers (Jan. 16 - 21). January's home schedule closes with a back-to-back against New Jersey.

FEBRUARY
The Privateers will make up for all that January home cooking this month! For a time all about love, the FHL schedule maker didn't show any to 1000 Islands, giving the team a 6 game road trip that lasts 10 days! February kicks off with a home and away with the Warriors (at Akwasasne Feb. 3 and at home Feb. 4). This two game set should  set the tone for the regular season championship.

- As for that elephant in the room 10 day road trip, it will take the Privateers to Green Mountain, New Jersey, and Danbury. Given the difficulty and the length of time away from home, it is nice that the schedule maker at least gave 1000 Islands Valentine's Day off! February is the final full month of the season and that road trip could make or break the team's plans for the Commissioner's Cup!

MARCH
They say that March can come in like a lion and leave like a lamb, for the Privateers, March will start and end the only way it could, against the Warriors. 1000 Islands will play their rival back to back to close out the season (Mar. 2 - Mar. 3). Akwasasne finished last season 18-4 on their home ice, meaning that these two games will be a tough way to end the season. It could also be a way to end the season like a lion in the FHL for 1000 Islands.

The season begins the furthest the 1000 Islands can play from home, and the season ends on the ice of the most hated opponent, but 2011-12 should be another successful season for the Privateers. With plenty of home dates on the schedule, and great promotions, plan now to get to Alexandria Bay and help your Privateers take home the Commissioner's Cup!