The 2012-2013 game lineup is going to be more exciting than ever. The Fayetteville FireAntz are starting their 11th season in the Southern Professional Hockey League and are hoping to bring another championship back to the Crown Coliseum under the direction of new coach Mark DeSantis. The team will have many new faces this year as the team is being retooled by coach DeSantis.

But, what happens on the ice is only one part of the show that happens each game night. The entertainment and themes for each game are as big as the games themselves.

“Many of our theme nights are annual events,” says Kevin MacNaught, team general manager and president. “But every year the organization looks to bring new and exciting entertainment to supplement the exciting on ice action. Birthday parties, hail and farewells and corporate nights are also very popular with the local fan base.”

Saturday, Oct. 20 preseason play vs. Augusta Riverhawks

The season will start with a novel approach to the pre-season game which will be Saturday Oct. 20, where the entire game will be played backwards. MacNaught said the players will not skate backwards but the show and the order of the game will be in reverse. The game will start with a shootout and then will play the periods in reverse. MacNaught who always tries to make things interesting was called crazy by many of his peers for doing a game in this manner. It is just a way to change the look for the fans while not compromising the competition.

Opening Night: Friday, Oct. 26 vs. “Rival” Knoxville IceBears

Opening night is a Fayetteville tradition for the FireAntz. The opening night will kick-off this year with the first of the very popular kids nights which is being sponsored by Lee Hyundai this year. There will be one kids night each month where every student in elementary and middle school is given a voucher for a free ticket. Seven counties participate and the FireAntz include public and private schools. Home-schooled students can call the FireAntz office to receive their voucher. Special opening night group packages are available by calling the FireAntz office at 910-321-0123 or by going to the website at www.fireantzhockey.com.

Lizard Lick Towing Night: Saturday Nov. 3 vs. Columbus Cottonmouths

This is a “WOW” night for the FireAntz who will wear special Lizard Lick Towing-styled jerseys. These jerseys will be auctioned off to the public after the game, and the proceeds will be used to provide tickets to the military for our first military appreciation night on Dec. 1. Ronnie and Amy from Lizard Lick Towing which is produced out of Lizard Lick, N.C., near Wendell is Broadcast on the Tru TV Network will be on hand to sign autographs before the game. This is a “must see” game because you never know whats going to happens when the people from Lizard Lick show up.

For more information, contact the FireAntz office at 910-321- 0123 or go to the team website at FireAntzhockey.com.

Photo: What happens on the ice is only part of the show that happens on game nights.