COMCAST SPORTSNET TO TELEVISE 71 CAPITALS GAMES DURING 2011-12 NHL REGULAR SEASON

NBC SPORTS GROUP NETWORKS TO PROVIDE CAPITALS’ FULL 82-GAME SCHEDULE

‘CAPITALS CENTRAL’ AND ‘CAPITALS POSTGAME LIVE’ RETURN THIS SEASON

Bethesda, Md. (Sept. 19, 2011) – Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, the region’s leading source for multiplatform sports coverage, and the Washington Capitals have announced the team’s 71-game regional television schedule for the 2011-12 NHL regular season. The network’s coverage, which begins with the Capitals’ season opener against Carolina on Oct. 8, will again feature comprehensive pregame and postgame coverage with ‘Capitals Central’ and ‘Capitals Postgame Live.’

Through Comcast SportsNet and national NHL television partners NBC and VERSUS – which will be re-branded NBC Sports Network on Jan. 2 – the Capitals’ entire 82-game regular-season schedule will be delivered throughout the region by the NBC Sports Group. As previously announced, VERSUS will televise six games exclusively, with five scheduled as exclusive NBC/VERSUS ‘flex’ games, with the network being determined at a later time. In addition, VERSUS will air four Capitals games to a national audience outside the region, with Comcast SportsNet providing exclusive coverage regionally.

Comcast SportsNet’s coverage of the Capitals – which was recently honored with an Emmy Award as the region’s top live sporting event production – will be led by six-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play announcer Joe Beninati. He will again be joined by veteran hockey analyst Craig Laughlin and longtime sideline reporter Al Koken, who are entering their 15th consecutive season together as the on-air team covering the Capitals.

‘Capitals Central’ and ‘Capitals Postgame Live’ return to Comcast SportsNet this season to provide extended team coverage surrounding the game. Alan May will again serve as analyst for the half-hour pregame and postgame shows, with Al Koken hosting during road games. A new host for home games will be announced by the network shortly. Beninati and Laughlin will contribute to the coverage from the arena, with Jill Sorenson – the network’s Capitals television beat reporter – and CSNwashington.com ‘Capitals Insider’ Chuck Gormley providing reports and features.

Comcast SportsNet’s television coverage of the upcoming Capitals’ season includes 61 games on Comcast SportsNet and 10 games on Comcast SportsNet Plus. The network’s entire 71-game Capitals’ schedule will be available in HD to all cable and satellite providers throughout the region. For information regarding Comcast SportsNet Plus HD carriage and channel location, check with your provider or go to CSNwashington.com or CSNbaltimore.com for information.

Comcast SportsNet’s coverage of the 2010-11 Capitals delivered record television ratings in several categories. The network posted its fourth consecutive season of double-digit increases in household ratings during the regular season, setting a new all-time high by 12 percent. Comcast SportsNet also recorded the top playoff series rating in network history during the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the N.Y. Rangers, which topped the 2010 first round by seven percent.


CSN CAPITALS TV SCHEDULE


REGIONAL TV SCHEDULE

Press Release:

NBC, VERSUS Announce NHL
National TV Schedules

Maximum of 12 Capitals games to be broadcast exclusively across NBC and VERSUS

ARLINGTON, Va. – NBC, which will operate under a flexible schedule for seven of the network’s regular-season dates, has chosen five dates from the Washington schedule for potential national coverage, the network announced as the NHL released its national broadcast schedules. VERSUS will broadcast at least 10 Washington Capitals games to a national television audience in 2011-12. Washington will have the maximum of 12 nationally exclusive games on NBC and VERSUS.

In addition to the broadcast schedule the Capitals announced five time changes from the original schedule: Nov. 1 vs. Anaheim (7:30 p.m.), Feb. 13 vs. San Jose (7:30 p.m.), Feb. 20 at Carolina (7:30 p.m.), March 4 vs. Philadelphia (7 p.m.) and April 2 at Tampa Bay (7 p.m.).

NBC will have the option to select from five Washington Capitals games via their NBC/VERSUS flex scheduling. VERSUS will broadcast at least 10 Capitals games, six exclusively and four non-exclusively. NHL Network will carry 15 Capitals contests, while 12 games will be televised nationally in Canada on CBC (seven games) and TSN (five games).

NBC has the option to select from the following flex schedule games: Jan. 22 at Pittsburgh, Feb. 12 at New York Rangers, March 18 at Chicago, March 25 vs. Minnesota and April 7 at New York Rangers. The games not selected by NBC will be broadcast on VERSUS on a non-exclusive basis.

VERSUS will feature the Capitals at least 10 times this season, six of which will be exclusive, nationally broadcast games. The network, which will be re-named “NBC Sports Network” on Jan. 2, will broadcast the following games exclusively: Dec. 28 vs. New York Rangers, Jan. 11 vs. Pittsburgh, Jan. 31 at Tampa Bay, Feb. 5 vs. Boston, Feb. 13 vs. San Jose and March 4 vs. Philadelphia. The following dates are non-exclusive VERSUS broadcasts: Oct. 10 vs. Tampa Bay, Nov. 1 vs. Anaheim, Feb. 20 at Carolina and April 2 at Tampa Bay.

NHL Network will carry 15 Capitals contests this season: Oct. 13 at Pittsburgh, Oct. 20 at Philadelphia, Oct. 22 vs. Detroit, Nov. 11 at New Jersey, Nov. 12 vs. New Jersey, Nov. 25 vs. New York Rangers, Dec. 1 vs. Pittsburgh, Jan. 13 vs. Tampa Bay, Feb. 18 at Tampa Bay, Feb. 25 at Toronto, March 8 vs. Tampa Bay, March 10 at Boston, March 22 at Philadelphia, March 29 at Boston and March 31 vs. Montreal.

In addition to the national broadcasts in the United States, 12 Capitals games will be televised nationally in Canada. CBC will televise seven Capitals games: Oct. 15 vs. Ottawa, Oct. 29 at Vancouver, Nov. 19 at Toronto, Dec. 3 vs. Ottawa, Feb. 4 at Montreal, Feb. 25 at Toronto and March 31 vs. Montreal. TSN will televise five Washington games: Oct. 27 at Edmonton, Dec. 7 at Ottawa, Jan. 18 at Montreal, Feb. 22 at Ottawa and Feb. 24 vs. Montreal.

Washington’s local broadcast schedule will be released in the near future.

Press Release:

Capitals Announce 2011 Preseason Schedule

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals 2011 preseason schedule features seven games against four opponents and includes three games at Verizon Center. The Capitals will open their preseason schedule against the Nashville Predators in the Baltimore Hockey Classic at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore on September 20 at 7 p.m.

The Capitals will begin their preseason road schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 21 (7 p.m.) at Columbus versus the Blue Jackets before facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on Friday, Sept. 23 (8:30 p.m.).

The team’s preseason home opener at Verizon Center is Monday, Sept. 26 (7 p.m.) against the Blue Jackets. The Capitals will then travel to Nashville on Sept. 28 (8 p.m.) before returning home to face the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 30 (7 p.m.) and the Blackhawks on Oct. 2 (5 p.m.) at Verizon Center.

The Capitals were 5-1-0 in the preseason last year, and their all-time preseason record is 140-112-29-9.

The 1st Mariner Arena, formerly the Baltimore Arena, is Baltimore’s largest indoor venue. The Capitals called Landover, Maryland home from 1974-1997. They played their home games at the Capital Centre before moving to downtown Washington, D.C. for the 1997-98 season.

Audio from every preseason game will be broadcast live on WashingtonCaps.com. The complete 2011-12 NHL regular season schedule will be released at a later date.

2011 Washington Capitals Preseason Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time
Tue., Sept. 20 vs. Nashville 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD 7 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 21 at Columbus Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 23 at Chicago United Center, Chicago IL 8:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 26 vs. Columbus Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 28 at Nashville Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 8 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 30 vs. Buffalo Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 2 vs. Chicago Verizon Center, Washington D.C. 5 p.m.

All Times Eastern

Photo © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Capitals News Network.

All Rights Reserved.

Capitals Announce 2011 Eastern Conference

Semifinal Schedule and Broadcast Information

Comcast SportsNet will Broadcast Games 3, 4, 6 and 7 in Washington/Baltimore Area

Press Release:

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Hockey League announced tonight the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinal round broadcast information between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning, which begins Friday, April 29. Games 1 and 2 will be broadcast exclusively on VERSUS, while Games 3, 4, 6 and 7 will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet in the Washington/Baltimore area. Game 5, if necessary, will be broadcast nationally on NBC.

Washington defeated the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal, 4-1, in the best-of-seven series. The Capitals allowed the fewest goals (eight) and had the lowest goals-against average (1.60) in the first round while killing off 19 of 20 power play opportunities (95%, third in the league). Rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth currently leads all postseason starters in goals-against average (1.38) and is second in save percentage (.946).

During the 2010-11 regular season, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom both led the Caps with 10 points each against Tampa Bay (two goals, eight assists). Alexander Semin recorded two hat tricks, including a five-point game on Nov. 11 at Verizon Center and tallied nine points (seven goals, two assists) in four games against the Lightning. Goaltender Michal Neuvirth went 1-0-0 with a 3.00 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in two games versus Tampa Bay, while Semyon Varlamov went 2-1-1 with a 1.49 GAA and a .949 SV % in four games.

The following is the complete Capitals playoff broadcast schedule in the Washington/Baltimore area for round two of the Eastern Conference Semifinal series versus the Tampa Bay Lightning:

2011 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Date                                      Time (ET)                       Location                    Network
      
Friday, April 29, 2011           7p.m.         TB Lightning at Washington       VERSUS, TSN

Sunday, May 1, 2011            7p.m.          TB Lightning at Washington       VERSUS, CBC

Tuesday, May 3, 2011       6:30p.m.      Washington at TB Lightning       CSN, VERSUS, TSN

Wednesday, May 4, 2011      7p.m.         Washington at TB Lightning       CSN, TSN

*Saturday, May 7, 2011      12:30p.m.     TB Lightning at Washington       NBC, TSN

*Monday, May 9, 2011          TBD         Washington at TB Lightning       CSN, VERSUS, TSN

*Wednesday, May 11, 2011  TBD          TB Lightning at Washington       CSN, VERSUS, TSN


The Capitals will practice on Thursday (10:30 a.m.) at Kettler Capitals Iceplex with media availability to follow.

Press Release, August 20, 2010

BEARS ANNOUNCE 2010 PRESEASON SCHEDULE

PAIR OF GAMES WITH WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON AND SINGLE GAME WITH BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS COMPRISE EXHIBITION SLATE

HERSHEY – The 2010 Calder Cup Champion HERSHEY BEARS announced today the team's 2010-11 preseason schedule. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

The BEARS will open exhibition play on Friday, October 1 with a game at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton against the Penguins. Faceoff at Mohegan Sun Arena is slated for 7:05 p.m. The Pens will then visit Giant Center on Saturday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m. The 2010 preseason concludes for the Chocolate and White with a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Giant Center on Sunday, October 3. Puck drop will be at 5:00 p.m.

Tickets for the October 2nd and 3rd games go on sale at the Hersheypark Stadium box office on Friday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. Call the Giant Center box office for more information at (717) 534-3911. Tickets for the 2010-11 preseason are $10, and parking is free of charge.

The BEARS will begin play in October, looking to win a third straight Calder Cup championship. The full American Hockey League schedule is expected to be released next week. Be part of the largest fan base in the American Hockey League while catching all the excitement of Hershey Bears Hockey. Season Ticket Packages start at $150.00 and include great benefits, big discounts along with guaranteed tickets for the 2011 AHL All –Star Classic and first right of refusal for the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs. Reserve your seats today by calling (717) 508-BEAR.

**Regular Season Schedule to be released August 25, 2010

The Capitals preseason schedule was announced today and the complete 2010-11 NHL regular season schedule will be released tomorrow.

Pre-season features six games against three teams -- Columbus, Nashville and Boston.  Three at home and three on the road.  Audio from every preseason game will be broadcast live on http://www.washcaps.com/.

2010 Washington Capitals Preseason Schedule

Wed., Sept. 22 at Columbus Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH 7 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 25 at Nashville Sommet Center, Nashville, TN 8 p.m.

Tues., Sept. 28 Boston Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 29 at Boston TD Garden, Boston, MA 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 1 Columbus Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 3 Nashville Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 12:30 p.m.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.