Saturday's sub-zero temperatures blanketing Minnesota will come just in time for the 2022 NHL Winter Classic at Target Field in downtown Minneapolis.
With the cold comes concerns about the safety of those attending the Winter Classic, and those playing in the Winter Classic.
"You always worry about things like frostbite and hypothermia," said Dr. Joel Boyd, an orthopedic surgeon at TRIA Orthopedics and team physician for the Minnesota Wild. "Those are you two biggest temperature-related worrying points."
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The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities says the wind chill at 6 p.m. Saturday, when the Wild and Blues are set to face-off, is expected to be -19 degrees. Wind chills that low could cause frostbit to exposed skin in less than 30 minutes.
"It's probably not as big of an issue for the athletes themselves because number one, they're all great athletes," Dr. Boyd said. "Their circulatory systems are working top-notch and all their blood vessels up to their fingertips are wide open and bringing heat."
It could be a whole different story for fans sitting in the stands.
"They're probably more susceptible actually than the athletes are because fans are just standing and sitting in one spot," added Dr. Boyd.
The athletes also have an advantage when it comes to body temperature according to Dr. Boyd.
"Their own heating mechanisms are already revved up. It's probably not as big of a deal for them as it is for those sitting in the stands, as long as they warming and heating elements along the benches."
While fans will likely be bundled up in multiple layers of clothing, gloves, hats, and face masks, they shouldn't expect to see the NHL players dawning many, if any, extra layers.
"I can tell you they're unlikely to [wear extra layers]," Dr. Boyd said. "Some hockey players are very superstitious so they don't like changing what they wear very often. They've gotten into a pattern and that's what they're going to with. It might be minimal with a long undergarment here or there, but it's going to be relatively thin."
Dr. Boyd adds that they won't be looking out for just the Minnesota Wild athletes on Saturday night.
"Our jobs are to take care of the athletes on both teams on the ice and to get them out of harms way if we see anyone is having a problem," he said. "I think there will be plenty of EMS and services who can be helpful when it comes to issues with the cold. They'll be the people in charge especially for people in the stands."