IOWA WILD ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FORMAT FOR 2018-19 SEASON
May 11, 2018The American Hockey League held its Board of Governors meeting this week, where it approved a new division alignment for the 2018-19 season.
In addition to the division alignment, the league also approved a schedule format for the season. While the full schedule won’t be released until later this summer, below is a breakdown of all the opponents Iowa Wild will play during the 2018-19 season.
Chicago Wolves: 8 games; 4 home, 4 away
Once again, Iowa and Chicago will face-off eight times during the regular season. In 2017-18, Iowa had a 4-4-0-0 record against the 2017-18 Central Division champions; the first time in team history the Wild had a winning record against Chicago. Iowa has a 14-27-4-3 record against Chicago in its five-year history.
Rockford IceHogs: 10 games; 5 home, 5 away
Rockford and Iowa will compete in 10 games during the 2018-19 season, which is the most Iowa will see of any one single opponent. Iowa went 5-5-2-0 against Rockford in 2017-18 and has a 22-27-3-0 record all-time against the IceHogs. Despite the losing record, the Wild is 13-7-2-0 against Rockford during its past two seasons.
Milwaukee Admirals: 6 games; 3 home, 3 away
After 10 games against Milwaukee in 2017-18, the Wild and Admirals will meet just six times next season. Iowa is 17-21-3-3 all-time against Milwaukee and finished last year with a 4-4-1-1 record against the Admirals. The six meetings mark the least amount of games in a single season between the two clubs.
Grand Rapids Griffins: 6 games; 3 home, 3 away
The Wild will have to make its most grueling road trip just three times next season, as Iowa and Grand Rapids will meet six times total, three times in each building. Iowa finished 4-2-0-4 against Grand Rapids in 2017-18, the first time the team had a winning record against the Griffins. All-time, the Wild is 11-21-3-5 versus the Griffins, who have won two of the last five Calder Cups.
Manitoba Moose: 4 games; 2 home, 2 away
The least amount of games against a single divisional opponent is versus Manitoba, as there will only be four meetings total during the 76-game season. Iowa’s 16-7-1-0 all-time record against Manitoba is the best mark of any divisional opponent. In 2017-18, the Wild held a 4-3-1-0 record against the Moose.
San Antonio Rampage: 8 games; 4 home, 4 away
The first of two Pacific Division teams sliding into the Central, Iowa will face-off against San Antonio eight times, a bump up from the six times the two teams met in 2017-18. Iowa has a 12-10-3-3 record against San Antonio in its five-year existence, including a 3-1-1-1 record against the Rampage in 2017-18.
Texas Stars: 8 games; 4 home, 4 away
The second team joining the Central Division starting in 2018-19, Iowa will battle the stars a total of eight times. Last season, Iowa held a 1-2-1-0 record against the Dallas affiliate. Through 26 games, Iowa has a 9-13-3-1 record against the Stars, which won its first Calder Cup in 2013-14.
Colorado Eagles: 4 games; 2 home, 2 away
Colorado joins the AHL after seven seasons in the ECHL and eight in the CHL before that. The Eagles become the 31st team in the AHL and Iowa will play four games against the Colorado Avalanche affiliate in its first year in the league.
Tucson Roadrunners: 4 games; 2 home, 2 away
After facing off against the Roadrunners for the first time in team history in 2017-18, Iowa will once again play four games against Tucson. The club has yet to register a win against the Phoenix affiliate though, as the Wild holds a 0-3-1-0 record against the Roadrunners.
Bakersfield Condors: 4 games; 2 home, 2 away
Another team Iowa faced for the first time in 2017-18, the Wild doubles its games against Bakersfield from two to four for 2018-19. Last season, Iowa set a record for most goals in a single period and single game when the teams faced off in Bakersfield on Feb. 2, an 8-0 win. All-time, the Wild is 1-0-1-0 against the Condors.
Ontario Reign: 4 games; 2 home, 2 away
Iowa and Ontario will meet in the regular season for the third consecutive campaign. In the past two seasons, the Wild holds a 1-2-0-1 record against the Reign, including a 1-1-0-0 record last season, where each team won in their home building.
San Diego: 2 games; 1 home, 1 away
The opponent Iowa will see the least in 2018-19 is San Diego, with only two games between the two teams on the schedule. Iowa has also yet to win a game against the Gulls, as the team has a 0-3-1-0 record against San Diego.
San Jose Barracuda: 4 games; 2 home, 2 away
For the first time since the 2015-16 season, Iowa and San Jose will battle each other in the regular season. Iowa is 1-0-1-0 against the Barracuda, winning the only game at Wells Fargo Arena between these two teams.
Stockton Heat: 4 games; 2 home, 2 away
The final team Iowa will see in the 2018-19 season is Stockton Heat, which will mark the first meeting between the two teams since 2015-16, when Stockton joined the AHL. The Wild is 0-2-0-0 all-time against the Heat.
The 2018-19 hockey calendar will kick-off with an NHL Preseason Game, presented by Mercy Medical Centers. The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues will face-off at Wells Fargo Arena on Sept. 19, 2018. Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the preseason game can do so by clicking here. Fans can also purchase tickets by visiting www.iowawild.com, the Wells Fargo Arena box office or participating Hy-Vee stores, or by calling 1-844-55-HYVEE or visiting www.hy-veetix.com.
Earlier this year, Iowa Wild and the AHL announced six guaranteed home games at Wells Fargo Arena, which are as follows:
- Friday, October 5 (Season Opener)
- Saturday, November 10
- Saturday, December 8
- Saturday, January 19
- Saturday, February 9
- Saturday, March 30
Opponents for these guaranteed dates, as well as the full Iowa Wild schedule, will be released at a later date.