Stealth open season with back-to-back games

Published 2:24 pm Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Washington Stealth’s title defense won’t start easily.

The National Lacrosse League released the 2011 schedule this afternoon, and the Stealth open the season with back-to-back games.

Washington opens with a 6 p.m. game at Colorado on Saturday, January 8, then travels home to face the Calgary Roughnecks at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9. Calgary has a home game on Saturday, so they won’t exactly be rested and waiting.

Here is a little breakdown of the schedule:

There are five away games and three home games in the first half of the season. Switch that for the second half, with five home games and three road contests.

Washington plays three back-to-backs — the season opener (Jan. 8-9), two games against Edmonton (away Feb. 11, home Feb. 12) and back-to-back road games on April 1-2 (at Toronto, then Buffalo).

Speaking of Toronto. … Mark that one on the calendar.

Champion’s Cup final rematch: Washington at Toronto, Friday, April 1 at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific Time).

There is also a four-game road trip (Jan. 22-Feb. 11).

Washington plays three Friday night home games, three Saturday night and two Sunday night games at Comcast Arena.

One team not on the schedule, the Philadelphia Wings.

Here’s the schedule (all times Pacific):

Saturday, Jan. 8 — at Colorado (6 p.m.)

Sunday, Jan. 9 — CALGARY (5 p.m.)

Friday, Jan. 14 — MINNESOTA (8 p.m.)

Saturday, Jan. 22 — at Calgary (6:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Jan. 29 — at Minnesota (5:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 5 — at Colorado (6 p.m.)

Friday, Feb. 11 — at Edmonton (6 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 12 — EDMONTON (7:30 p.m.)

Friday, Feb. 18 — COLORADO (8 p.m.)

Saturday, March 5 — at Edmonton (6 p.m.)

Sunday, March 13 — CALGARY (5 p.m.)

Friday, March 25 — BOSTON (8 p.m.)

Friday, April 1 — at Toronto (4:30 p.m.)

Saturday, April 2 — at Buffalo (4:30 p.m.)

Saturday, April 9 — MINNESOTA (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, April 16 — ROCHESTER (7:30 p.m.)

END OF REGULAR SEASON