Thunder’s 2008 season opens on March 29

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning Valley Thunder will open their second season in af2 March 29 against the Albany Conquest on Cortland Banks Field at the Chevrolet Centre.

The schedule was released by the team Friday.

The season features a special non-divisional “home-and-home” series with the expansion Lexington Horsemen, Louisville Fire and Green Bay Blizzard.

The Thunder, who play in the American Conference East Division, will face each divisional opponent three times.

The schedule includes two road games at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the defending American Conference champion, and the first Monday night game at the Chevy Centre against the Pioneers Mat 5.

“This schedule is very competitive, featuring six playoff teams from 2007,” said Thunder coach Mike Hold. “We look forward the challenge, especially with a very intense East Division schedule.”

Each team will play 16 games, equally divided among home and away. Five expansion teams created new divisions, with 14 teams in the American Conference and 15 in the National Conference.

Season tickets, starting at $96, are on sale by calling the Thunder at (330) 758-4232.