Islanders 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule Announced

First home game is October 13 against Philadelphia Flyers  

The New York Islanders have released their schedule for the 2012-13 season. On Friday, Oct. 12, the Islanders will open this year’s National Hockey League campaign on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 p.m. The following night, the Islanders will host their 2012-13 home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, the Islanders will face off in their first meeting of the season with their rivals, the New York Rangers. The Islanders’ will also host their cross-town rivals on Tuesday, Jan. 15 and on Thursday, Mar. 7. The Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils will also play three games at Nassau Coliseum this season: Saturday, Nov. 17, Wednesday, Dec. 26 and on the final day of the regular season, Saturday, April 13. The Islanders and Devils will also meet in a special pre-season game on Oct. 2 when they play the first NHL game in Brooklyn at Barclays Center.

PGA Tour Event Offers Opportunity To Help American Red Cross, Tickets Available

The Barclays, the first event in the PGA tour playoffs for the FedEx Cup, is coming to Long Island this summer, and, thanks to tournament officials, charities like the American Red Cross can benefit from “Tickets Fore Charity” – a unique fundraising initiative designed to improve the quality of life in the communities where PGA tour tournaments are held.

“This is an incredible opportunity to raise unlimited funds for the participating charity and there are absolutely no costs to the organization,” said The Barclays Executive Director Peter Mele. “Fans will get to witness the very best the PGA tour has to offer and generate revenue for charities in New York and New Jersey during a time when these organizations need our help more than ever.”

US Tennis Association Offers Free Tennis Lessons June 24

The United States Tennis Association will be hosting tennis lessons on Sunday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free, and open to all ages and skill level.

Held at the tennis courts at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, the event dubbed “Love on Long Island,” will provide both children and adults the opportunity to learn the game of tennis or improve upon already acquired skills. Provided in conjunction with the United States Tennis Association and the United States Professional Tennis Association, the day will feature ‘10 and Under Tennis,’ a new and innovative way to learn the game that also provides a one year USTA membership for children 10 and under.

Hicksville Hula Girls Run Four-Mile RunAmuck Race

Hicksville natives Katelyn Heuser, LeAnne Liebl and Brittny Hayes raced in a four-mile run, RunAmuck, on Saturday, June 16. For the tiniest fraction of a second, the girls realized running a race up the mountains, through obstacles, up walls, ropes through tunnels, streams and muddy muck is surely the most off-the-wall event they ever signed up to do.

HHS Seniors Participate In Banner Day

NY Mets bring annual tradition back to Citi Field

On May 27, the New York Mets brought back a yearly tradition, which has been absent for the past 16 years: Banner Day. From 1963 to 1996, Banner Day was an annual tradition, beginning with a parade and ending with three finalists chosen from the pack. There would only be one winner.

This year, Hicksville High School seniors Amy Perfetti and Julie Scarpitta were finalists of Banner Day, which included over 300 elaborately made banners. Their banner, which had Mets’ Manager Terry Collins depicted as the sun over a flowerbed of “homegrown” flowers (each of the current team members) was featured on the New York Mets website as well as on Twitter and Facebook. The third finalist had a brightly colored banner, which read, “Follow the CitiBrick Road.”

Neigh It Ain’t So…

Belmont fans react to I’ll Have Another race scratch

After a 33-year drought without a Triple Crown winner at the Belmont Stakes, many were looking forward to witnessing I’ll Have Another go for history in the 144th annual race. Disappointment and surprise, however, soon came to racing fans when it was announced just a mere day before his attempt at history, that the Belmont favorite was being scratched from the race due to tendonitis in his left leg.

While many may not have made the trek to Elmont this year without the treat of a Triple Crown, longtime racing fan Louis Howe still made the 3-hour drive from North Hampton, MA to see the race.

Leonard, Sweeney To Play In U19 National Exhibition Game

Out of a field of 123 tryout candidates, Joey Leonard, former Hicksville Comet, was selected to the 23-man U19 Men’s National Team roster, which is set to play in the World Championships overseas in Turku, Finland this July. The team is made up of players from eight different states and showcases 10 players from right here on Long Island.

Ducks Manager Kevin Baez Celebrates 100th Victory

The Long Island Ducks defeated the York Revolution 17-3 in game one of a day/night doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Bethpage Ballpark. With the win, Kevin Baez earned his 100th win as manager of the Ducks. The second-year skipper led Long Island to a 78-47 record in 2011 during the regular season. Don McCormack has the most wins as a Ducks manager with 399 from 2001 to 2005.

The Revolution cracked the scoreboard first with a RBI single by Andres Perez to right field off Ducks starter Jason Monti in the second. Long Island would even it up in the bottom of the inning off Revs starter Junior Novoa when Wilberto Ortiz lifted a RBI sac fly to left.

Unused Ticket Days Announced For Long Island Ducks Games

Opportunity for fans to exchange tickets for missed games

The Long Island Ducks announced that Tuesday, June 5, Wednesday, June 6 and Thursday, June 7 will be “Unused Ticket Days” at Bethpage Ballpark. Fans who did not make it out to a ballgame during the 2012 season and are still in possession of unused tickets may exchange them for tickets of equal or lesser value at the Bethpage Ballpark Box Office, subject to availability.

“We want to make sure each and every fan has the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of Ducks baseball,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “We understand that the first month of the season was a mixed bag with regards to the weather, and some people may have stayed home on nights they had tickets for a Ducks game. We have a big series at Bethpage Ballpark against the cross-Sound rival Bridgeport Bluefish June 5-7 and hope to see fans take advantage of this opportunity.”

Belmont Stakes General Admission Tickets Available For June 9

For the first time ever, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is making $10 grandstand general admission tickets to the Belmont Stakes available through Ticketmaster.

With I’ll Have Another set to pursue a sweep of the Triple Crown following his victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, a big crowd is expected for the 144th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9.