Portland, Maine - The Portland Pirates announced today six regular season home dates for the 2008-09 season, including the season's home opener and annual New Year's Eve game. The Pirates' first home game of their sixteenth season as a member of the AHL, and first as an affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, falls on Saturday, October 11th at 7:05 p.m. in the Cumberland County Civic Center. The following additional dates have also been confirmed:

• Friday, November 14th at 7:05 p.m. at Androscoggin Bank Colisée (Lewiston)
• Saturday, November 15th at 7:05 p.m. at Androscoggin Bank Colisée
• Tuesday, December 9th at 7:05 p.m. at Alfond Arena (Orono)
• Wednesday, December 31st at 5:35 p.m. at CCCC
• Monday, January 19th at 1:05 p.m. at CCCC

"We are thrilled to secure, earlier than ever, our home opener date, New Year's Eve, our three dates in Lewiston and Orono and to know that once again we will be able to offer our product in a matinee format on a special holiday in January. The excitement and interest in Pirates Hockey has never been greater following our recent announcement of our new affiliation with the Buffalo Sabres," added Pirates' Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek.

Opening night is only 108 days away, and fans at that game will experience the unveiling of the 2008 Atlantic Division Championship banner. It will be the second time in three years that the Pirates will raise the Atlantic Division banner and the eighth banner added to the arena's rafters during the 32 seasons of professional hockey played at the Civic Center. All fans in attendance will also receive an official commemorative collectible giveaway and relive the 2008 playoff run through highlights played on the video board during the game.

The two November dates mark a weekend of hockey in Lewiston, Maine, as the Pirates take their home-ice advantage to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée, home of the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). It will be the first time regular season AHL hockey will be played in the Colisée. Those games, along with a return to the Alfond Arena at the University of Maine in Orono on December 9, are part of an effort by the Pirates to reach fans in the outlying areas of Portland. Last year's game in Orono proved to be a success, with nearly 4,000 fans in attendance, and the organization looks forward to the opportunity to bring the Portland Pirates experience to even more fans outside the city this season, creating new fans in the process. Individual game tickets for Lewiston go on sale to the general public September 10th and for Orono on September 29th. Both Pirates and MAINEiacs season ticket holders will have an exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets for these games prior to public sale later this summer.

For the fourteenth year in a row, December 31st is the Kids New Years game, starting at 5:35 p.m., featuring New England’s largest indoor fireworks display at its conclusion. The Pirates expect another full house this season, adding to the five consecutive sellouts that have filled the arena to capacity with fans excited to ring in the New Year with their favorite team. This year's celebration promises to be bigger and more thrilling than ever, making it a worthwhile way for fans to spend the holiday.

There will once again be a matinee game on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 19th), so that fans and their families can enjoy this traditional holiday at a Pirates game. Last year's game was a huge success, and gave kids a chance to have their pictures taken with Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer and enjoy healthy snacks provided by Let's Go. There was also a post-game "Skate with the Team" session, co-sponsored by Weight Watchers and Mercy Hospital, allowing fans to meet the players and get autographs. Fans can expect even more fun activities for the whole family next January 19th.

Portland Pirates Hockey is fun, exciting and affordable entertainment where fans can watch and get to know tomorrow's NHL stars today. Pirates season ticket plans are on sale now by calling (207) 828-4665 x350; individual game tickets will go on sale Friday, September, 26th. The complete 2008-09 season schedule is due to be released in early August.