Wild owner 'utterly relentless' in pursuit of outdoor game

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold certainly went the extra mile in order to secure an outdoor game for his team.

In fact, commissioner Gary Bettman wasn't shy about revealing as much when he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that Leipold was "utterly relentless" in his pursuit of the contest. Leipold's persistence eventually paid off as the Wild will test the elements when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 21 at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

"It took a lot of phone calls, a lot of text messages, emails and notes to Gary Bettman about having an outdoor game for our market," Leipold told the team's website. "It was a long process. A lot of teams were trying to get the games, but this is our time."

The Wild hope it's their time for revenge, since they have been eliminated by the Blackhawks in three straight playoff series - including a sweep last spring.