The Coachella Valley Firebirds recently unveiled their season schedule as well as details of their home opener in the brand-new Acrisure Arena. For this recent addition to the American Hockey League (AHL), this is their very first season.
"The Coachella Valley Firebirds, AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, have announced the home opener for their inaugural season will take place on Sunday, Dec. 18, at Acrisure Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.," a team news release said.
According to the team's website, the home opener against the Tucson Roadrunners represents the fifth matchup of the season between the rival teams. That's because even before the home opener, the Firebirds will have played 21 games, including four Seattle area matches.
It may not be only team action that brings out the fans. The home opener will be a chance to welcome Firebirds fans to the new arena in Thousand Palms for the first time.
In addition to dropping the details for the home opener, the Firebirds also have revealed the team's season schedule on their website. The 72-game season will begin with a two-game series in Calgary on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 12 p.m. Pacific Time. The season is set up to introduce fans to the Pacific Division through numerous matchups against teams such as the Abbotsford Canucks, Bakersfield Condors, Colorado Eagles, Henderson Silver Knights, Ontario Reign, San Diego Gulls, San Jose Barracuda, Tucson Roadrunners and the Calgary Flames' new AHL franchise. The Firebirds will also face off against two teams outside of their division; the Iowa Wild and Texas Stars.