Finally, Wild get outdoor game, fittingly against Blackhawks

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Finally, after years of lobbying to host an outdoor game, the Minnesota Wild will take their skates and sticks to the ice under the winter sky.

Fittingly, they will face the Chicago Blackhawks, the division rival that has eliminated them from the playoffs in each of the last three years.

Fortunately for the Wild, they're playing well enough a week after the firing of head coach Mike Yeo that they haven't spoiled the party. They've won three straight games after John Torchetti took over as interim coach.

Both teams tuned up with a light practice Saturday, with satisfactory reviews of the ice condition all around. This will be the 17th time the league has staged an outdoor game.