The Bakersfield Condors are coming off a 2023-24 campaign where they fell short of expectations, as they were swept by the Ontario Reign in their first round playoff series. However, there is still some pride that comes with being just one of just two Pacific Division teams to make the playoffs in each of the past five seasons.
The Condors' offseason has been an eventful one as, among other things, head coach Colin Chaulk and the team's top points-scorer from last season Seth Griffith were both handed contract extensions. The team also said goodbye to captain Brad Malone, who retired after 13 professional seasons in the game.
Anticipation is high, that the Condors can continue to build and improve moving forward. Along these line, the AHL has released their schedule for the 2024-25 regular season.
In this respect, there's plenty to look forward to if you're a Condors fan. Here are four takeaways from the team's schedule for next season:
1) Looking for revenge
As mentioned above, the Condors were swept by the Ontario Reign in the first round of the AHL playoffs last season. This was after narrowly losing the regular season series 3-4-1.
This time around, the Condors will only face the Reign four times during the regular season. They will host them on Sat. Nov. 30 and Fri. Jan. 24, and travel to Ontario on Fri. Oct. 18 and Sun. Dec. 8.
2) Cream of the crop in the West
If you want to find out what you're made of, the best way is to face the strongest possible opponents. Certainly the Coachella Valley Firebirds fit this description after advancing to the Calder Cup Finals in both of their first two years of existence, albeit ultimately losing both times to the Hershey Bears.
In fairness, the Condors more than held their own versus the Firebirds last season, going 4-4-0 in their regular season series. They'll meet them again eight times in 2024-25, including opening their season on the road in Thousand Palms, California, on Fri. Oct. 11.
3) Something a little different
The Condors will play 11 different opponents over the course of their 72-game regular season schedule. This will include facing a team from the AHL’s Eastern Conference for the first time.
The team in question is the Toronto Marlies, who have twice made it to the Calder Cup Finals in their history, including winning it all in 2017-18. The teams will face each other four times, in Toronto on Sat. Dec. 14 and Sun. Dec. 15, and then back in Bakersfield on Wed. Jan 22 and Sat. Feb. 1.
4) Miscellaneous observations
The Condors' home opener is on Sat. Oct. 19 versus the San Diego Gulls, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. PT
25 of the Condors' 36 home games will be at the weekend, including 13 on Friday, 11 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday
Aside from the Firebirds, the Condors will also play the Abbotsford Canucks, Colorado Eagles, Henderson Silver Knights, San Jose Barracuda, Tucson Roadrunners and Gulls eight times each
The Condors' longest home-stand will be 6 games, between Wed. Jan. 29 and Sat. Feb. 15. and their longest road-stand is 5 games, between Tues. Nov. 5 and Sat. Nov. 16.
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