BRINGING IN A WHALE OF A NEW YEAR 

FIREWORKS ON AND OFF THE ICE FOR WHALE’S DECEMBER 31 GAME

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Special 5:00 PM Start, $5 Tickets and Free Parking Provide Value-packed Night

There will be plenty of “fireworks”, on and off the ice, surrounding the Connecticut Whale’s home New Year’s Eve, this Saturday night, at the XL Center against the Springfield Falcons.

The game features a special Holiday start time of 5:00 PM, as the Whale renew acquaintances with their closest regional rival in an I-91 border battle.  And the Whale will be celebrating the coming of the New Year with a special ticket discount, as all upper-level seats for Saturday’s game will be available for only $5 each at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center.

Taking in both the game and the downtown First Night festivities could not be easier, as the Hartford Parking Authority will be offering free parking at the Morgan Street Garage, 155 Morgan Street, and $2 parking at both the Church Street Garage, 200 Church Street, and the MAT Garage, 55 S. Chapel St..

“With our special 5 p.m. game start, Connecticut Whale fans can come for the game and stay for Hartford’s First Night Celebrations, complete with skating in Bushnell Park and fireworks,” said Whalers Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Howard Baldwin, Jr.. “Plus, add in $5 for all upper level tickets and free parking at the Morgan Street Garage, and First Night is truly a value-packed night.”

Fans showing a First Night wristband or button at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center can also take advantage of a 50% discount on lower-level end-zone seats for Saturday’s Whale game.  In addition, there will be a First Night table in the XL Center atrium on Saturday, with First Night buttons available for purchase.

Tickets to all 2011-12 Whale home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.

The AHL’s Connecticut Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin and Howard Baldwin, Jr..  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

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