NHL Stadium Series: Milder conditions ahead as Minnesota hosts Chicago

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

February 18,2016; 9:30PM,EST

 

 

For the second time this season, the NHL is taking its game outdoors as the Minnesota Wild host the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The two divisional rivals are scheduled to face off at 2:30 p.m. CST Sunday. The NHL is also organizing an alumni game, which will feature notable former players from both clubs, and is slated to begin at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Fans attending either event can look forward to mostly dry conditions over the weekend and a rise in temperatures.

"The weekend looks mild for Minneapolis with temperatures expected to be above average both Saturday and Sunday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Jordan Root said. "Temperatures will reach into the mid-40s F during the day Saturday and stay above freezing through the night, dropping to 33."
A weak cold front will pass through on Sunday and could bring some light snow in the morning.
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Conditions will dry out later in the day, Root said.
Highs on Sunday will be in the lower 40s. A typical high for this time of year in the city is near 30.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that due to extremely cold conditions last week, it was actually too cold to make ice. Crews had to work longer days this week to keep the rink construction on schedule.
There will be a mix of clouds and sun on Saturday while mostly cloudy skies are forecast for Sunday.
According to The Star Tribune, the NHL's facilities operations team prefers overcast skies for outdoor games because the colorful logos that are painted on the ice can attract heat from the sun and cause soft areas on the rink.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) and Chicago Blackhawks center Marko Dano battle for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in Chicago. The Wild won 2-1. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Earlier this winter, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins at Gillette Stadium on New Year's Day by a score of 5-1 at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Work crews had to battle unusual December warmth to have the rink in tip-top shape.
While temperatures will stay above freezing, TCF Bank Stadium, home to the University of Minnesota football team, is no stranger to frigid sporting events. In January, it hosted the NFL playoff matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings in what was the third-coldest game in NFL history.
The NHL's third and final outdoor game of the season will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27 in Denver as the Detroit Red Wings play the Colorado Avalanche at Coors Field.

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