Predators cancel remaining home games

WASILLA — The Arctic Predators have apparently hosted their final home game in 2010.

In a press release issued by the Wasilla-based American Indoor Football Association team late Thursday afternoon, the Predators announced, “due to circumstances beyond the control of Arctic Predators Professional Indoor Football, LLC, all remaining 2010 Arctic Predator home games must be canceled.”

Phone messages left for the Arctic Predators were unanswered.

The Predators are currently 4-7 in the AIFA West Division. Last week, the Predators suffered a 76-6 loss to the Wenatchee Valley Venom in Wenatchee, Wash. The contest was one of two road games left on the schedule. The AIFA schedule also has the Predators playing the Venom in Wenatchee on July 3.

Earlier this month, Predators coach Hans Deemer said the Predators would forfeit their remaining home games and instead host an unaffiliated team from Anchorage on those dates.

“We’re going to fill the remainder of the home schedule with Alaska teams and travel out for the two games at Wenatchee,” Deemer said after the announcement.

The dates of those home games were June 19 and June 26.

The Predators were forced to forfeit a pair of games against the Wyoming Cavalry after problems with the travel itinerary prevented the Cavalry from making the trip to Wasilla. Deemer said the first-year franchise encountered growing pains midway through its inaugural season.

“We need to restructure how we do travel,” he said in early June.

League rules state the Predators are responsible for the cost of teams to travel to Alaska.

The press release did not indicate whether the team would make the trip to Washington for the July 3 contest, but did state a desire to field a team in 2011.