It’s finally the Minnesota Wild’s turn to drop the puck.
The game was delayed a year due to the pandemic and tickets for the NHL Winter Classic at Target Field go on sale Wednesday.
The NHL Winter Classic started in Buffalo in 2008 and had made stops in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston and even Dallas before arriving in Minnesota.
“Outdoor hockey is really synonymous with Minnesota,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at Target Field Monday.
The New Year’s Day annual contest will be played in the evening for the first time with a 6 p.m puck drop meaning no sun glare, and of course the threat of melting ice is practically nonexistent. Wild alternate captain Marcus Foligno said players are looking forward to it.
“I was nervous already walking out of the dugout,” Foligno said. “The passion all started on the outdoor rinks for myself.”
The Wild will take on the St. Louis Blues. Wild owner Craig Leipold said the team sought out playing their division rival at the beginning of negotiations.
“They have always been one of our biggest rivals going back to the North Stars days,” he said.
For Twins President and CEO Dave St. Peter, it’s not just a hockey event.
“This is a great opportunity for us to put on a showcase event in downtown Minneapolis on January 1,” St. Peter said. “We’ve been through a lot over the last 19 months, but this city remains the economic driver for our state. It’s a tremendous place to live, work and play.”
Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.