MINNEAPOLIS — Parade Stadium is ready to host the six outdoor games for Hockey Day Minnesota 2020, but will the weather cooperate?
Temperatures on Thursday are expected to dip down to the single-digits with below zero windchills, even though the sun will be shining. On Friday, a Winter Storm Watch goes into effect as the state braces for up to 6 inches of snowfall.
But despite the very Minnesota winter weather in the forecast, all games are still scheduled to play. Crews were out on the ice Wednesday, cleaning up and putting finishing touches on the rink.
In addition to the competition rinks, there's a pond hockey rink built for the kids. The 200 foot by 85 foot rink is built on the baseball field.
The first game, a high school girls tilt, is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening, with Minneapolis taking on Holy Angels on the big outdoor rink. That game is followed by the Blake girls vs. Grand Rapids-Greenway at 8:00 p.m.
The Women's All-Star game starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, featuring many of the top female hockey players who have represented Minnesota with the Gophers and the U.S. Olympic team. A Hockey Day first follows that contest, with an NHL Alumni Game set for 7:00 p.m.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, two outdoor boys high school hockey games will kick-off the day starting with Minneapolis vs. Warroad at 9:30 a.m., followed by Blaine vs. Blake at 1:00 p.m.
The University of Minnesota women’s hockey team will face Ohio State in a WCHA showdown at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and Hockey Day Minnesota closes with the Minnesota Wild hosting the Dallas Stars at the Xcel Energy Center at 8:00 p.m.
For more information, tickets and parking details, click here.