The NHL is about to stage its 17th outdoor hockey game, the first in Minnesota. The Wild are rookies to the event while the Blackhawks will play in the record fourth outdoor affair.
Playing a game outside in the elements poses many changes from what the players are used to. The questions always becomes, is it an advantage to having that experience.
“Tough to say, I know the excitement of our group since there are new guys playing out there for the first time,” said Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville. “Once getting in one it’s a real high. For the guys that played it in doesn’t get old. It’s certainly a privilege. Our guys have played in a lot of big game settings and that can help at ties.”
Minnesota forward Zach Parise said his team is looking forward to the game, despite the team’s lackluster play which led to the firing of head coach Mike Yeo.
“We’ve always been looking forward to it,” he said. “I know it hasn’t been ideal the last little while leading up the game. Hopefully we’re past that and we can enjoy the game like we should and come out with a win.”
For the goalies the snow can help and the sun can hurt. Even more important is the depth perception changes due to the space between the seats.
“When it snowed I thought it would be harder to see the puck but it was actually helped a little bit to have the white backdrop,” Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford said. “The puck 
stood out a little more. The hardest thing is the depth from over the boards. We’re used to having the stands right behind the boards.”
Besides it being about two points in the standings against a divisional foe, Quenneville has always made it fun. Every game he brought out the USA Wounded Warriors hockey team on the ice. After practice the teams square off in what can only be called organized chaos on the ice.
“It’s fun and a bit of tradition,” said Chicago defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson. “How they sacrificed themselves; it’s fun how we can give them a fun experience. I think we had as much fun as they had out there.”
The game features an all-out team vs. team scrum with nearly 50 players on the ice at once. Competition is high in the exhibition. There was a controversial goal situation during the game.
It appeared Team White and Red scored on Scott Darling’s black team. The players asked for a review. Standing at center ice Quenneville — usually a serious man — yelled no goal and waved it off to the pleasure of Team Black.
The players came off the ice impressed with many of the USA Warriors that skated with them.
“It’s impressive to see some of those guys how they can skate,” said Hjalmarsson. “One guy didn’t have any legs and he was out there on blades skating.”
Saturday may be fun and loose. When the puck drops Sunday one team needs two points to get closer to a Wild Card birth, while the visitors want to maintain their top spot in the Western Conference.
“Being on this stage is a privilege but at the end of the day you are playing for keeps,” said Quenneville. “Our games have played in a lot of big game settings and that can help at times.
Homecoming for Reilly
While the Wild are yet to play in an outdoor game, Mike Reilly has an edge on his teammates. Not only has he played an outdoor game while at the University of Minnesota, he did it in TCF Bank Stadium. Two years ago he was part of a 1-0 Golden Gophers’ win over Ohio State in the Hockey City Classic.
“I’ve gotten a few questions about it,” the rookie defenseman said. “Obviously there was a ton of buildup to that one in college and this is a step up. Guys have had it circled on their calendars.”
Reilly gave the ice a good review after the hour-long practice on Saturday afternoon.
“The puck wasn’t bouncing too much and the ice was pretty fast for the most part,” he said. “The crew will do everything they can to keep the ice in the best shape possible.”
Lonny Goldsmith contributed to this story. Tweet him @lonny_goldsmith
Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_PHN and you can always reach him at adam.minnick@prohockeynews.com
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