The eighth outdoor game in American Hockey League history takes place Friday night as the Stockton Heat take on the Bakersfield Condors at Raley Field in West Sacramento, Calif.
The game will be televised live on NHL Network (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT) on Friday and will be the highlight of the Golden State Hockey Rush, an event being hosted by Entercom Communications Sacramento, Raley Field and RS Ice Sports & Entertainment as part of the “Biggest Show on Snow” – a six-week holiday extravaganza at Raley Field running through Jan. 3, 2016.
The Heat and the Condors are two of five new California-based entries which joined the AHL for the 2015-16 season as part of the creation of a Pacific Division. Stockton is the top development affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames; Bakersfield is the top affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.
The concept and mission of the Golden State Hockey Rush is to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to actively participate in a number of hockey- and winter-themed events. In addition to the game between the Heat and the Condors, the "Biggest Show on Snow” will include a number of other attractions, including the “Monster Ice Slide,” public holiday skating, theme nights with Entercom Communications radio stations, Santa Claus picture opportunities, rides, arts and crafts, a Christmas tree lot, and much more. Also, amateur teams from all levels and from across California will be participating in the first-ever Golden State Hockey Rush Holiday Tournament.
The Biggest Show on Snow will benefit the Treat ’em Like a King (TLK) Foundation. The TLK Foundation, which was founded by former Sacramento Kings basketball player Harold Pressley, serves disadvantaged youth by hosting a variety of programs and events to develop and reinforce positive character traits and life skills.
AHL Outdoor Game History
Feb. 20, 2010 – Syracuse vs. Binghamton, New York State Fairgrounds (Syracuse, N.Y.)
Feb. 19, 2011 – Connecticut vs. Providence, Rentschler Field (East Hartford, Conn.)
Jan. 6, 2012 – Adirondack vs. Hershey, Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Jan. 21, 2012 – Hamilton vs. Toronto, Ivor Wynne Stadium (Hamilton, Ont.)
Jan. 20, 2013 – Hershey vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Hersheypark Stadium (Hershey, Pa.)
Dec. 13, 2013 – Rochester vs. Lake Erie, Frontier Field (Rochester, N.Y.)
Dec. 30, 2013 – Grand Rapids vs. Toronto, Comerica Park (Detroit, Mich.)
Dec. 18, 2015 – Stockton vs. Bakersfield, Raley Field (West Sacramento, Calif.)
