Coralville, Iowa- After holding AHL preseason games between the Iowa Wild and Rockford IceHogs in 2021 and 2022, the Iowa Heartlanders will once again host a matchup as the midpoint between these two AHL Central Division foes on October 3rd, 2024.
In 2021, two games were played. The IceHogs took game one by a score of 3-0, before the Wild overcame a 3-1 deficit in the third period to win 4-3 in game two, as was previewed below:
In 2022, the Iowa Wild had an electric preseason start, winning the two games played in Coralville, both by scores of 2-1, including a shootout win.
In 2021, then-Iowa Wild head coach Tim Army gave his piece on having the privilege to play the first-ever professional hockey game at Xtream Arena:
For each of these games, IceHogs and Wild fans made the trip, but locals were divided by who their favorite NHL or AHL team was; and chose their rooting interests accordingly, creating a much more diverse crowd by fan interests.
This game will serve as some pre-season entertainment for the Iowa Heartlanders before the regular season begins on October 18, where Landers, Wild, and IceHogs fans will have the privilege of seeing players who will play for each of the two competing teams and the host.
