The Rochester Americans released six guaranteed home dates for the 2011/2012 season today along with a list of opponents and how many times they’ll play against each other.  The Amerks will play 15 out of 30 teams this coming season in the American Hockey League, including teams from the West Division.

The Amerks home opener is typically on a Friday but per a request from the Amerks it was moved ahead to Thursday October 13th so that new owner Terry Pegula would be able to attend the game when they return with the Sabres from their European trip.

Other guaranteed Home Dates:

• Friday October 21
• Friday November 25
• Friday December 9
• Friday December 30
• Friday January 20

Schedule matrix is about what was expected.  The Amerks were in the Eastern Conference for about 3 weeks before St Johns entered the league.  If the Amerks would’ve stayed in the East we’d see a different schedule.  It’ll be interesting to see some of the West Division teams, including the new Panthers affiliate San Antonio Rampage.

The one thing that still doesn’t make sense is that a combined total of 18 games (10 vs Syracuse, 8 vs Binghamton) are played against two opponent in another conference.  At the same time there’s only six games against the Lake Erie Monsters who are in the same division.  That’s a lot of points up for grabs when playoff spots are open to anyone this coming season.

Oh well, maybe next season the Amerks will be back in the East.  Here’s the list of oppenents, the schedule is expected out in early August.

Western Conference

vs. North Division (32 games)

Grand Rapids (3 home/3 away)

Hamilton (5 home/5 away) 

Lake Erie (3 home/3 away)

Toronto (5 home/5 away)

vs. West Division (14 games)

Abbotsford (2 home/2 away)

Oklahoma City(2 home/2 away)

San Antonio (1 home/1 away)

Texas (1 home/1 away)

Houston (1 home/1 away)

vs. Midwest Division  (0 games)

Charlotte, Chicago, Milwaukee, Peoria, Rockford

Western Conference Total = 46 games

Eastern Conference

vs. Atlantic Division (0 games)

Manchester, Portland, Providence, St Johns, Worcester 

vs. Northeast Division (8 games)

Adirondack (2 home/2 away)

Albany (2 home/2 away)

Bridgeport, Connecticut, Springfield = 0 games

vs. East Division (22 games)

Binghamton (4 home/4 away)

Hershey (1 home/1 away)

Norfolk (none)

Syracuse (5 home/5 away)

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (1 home/1 away)

Eastern Conference Total = 30 games

Thoughts?