While heading down to the neighborhood outdoor rink with friends for a game of shinny on a cold winter afternoon is one of the hallmarks of life in the State of Hockey, it is a pursuit certainly not limited to Minnesota. Gophers senior forward Ella Huber frequented the outdoor rink as a kid in the north suburbs of Chicago, learning the nuances of the game under the chilly Illinois sun. So in some ways, their game on Saturday morning in Shakopee versus Bemidji State as part of Hockey Day Minnesota will be an advanced version of those pickup games from a decade or so ago. “I’m pumped to be a part of it. I actually haven’t been in an outdoor game before, and I’ve heard a lot about Hockey Day Minnesota is super excited for it,” said Huber, who is second on the team offensively with 30 points in 25 games. “I think our preparation will all stay the same. It’s a normal game. Yes, it’s outside, so our equipment manager, Brent, has extra gear for us if we need it.” It will be the second time in recent years that the Gophers women have been a participant in Hockey Day Minnesota. When the event was in Minneapolis in 2020, Minnesota eked out a 2-1 win over Ohio State on a cold, windy night at Parade Stadium, with a view of the city’s skyline in the background. Gophers coach Brad Frost said the key is to treat it as much like a normal (indoor) game as is feasible. “It’s a conference game. It’s one thing if it’s an exhibition game or something like that and everybody’s just out there to have fun,” he said. “But it’s a little different when there’s three big points on the line, especially in the WCHA when you look at the standings.” There will also be three points at stake on Friday when the Gophers and Beavers play a more traditional game, under a roof, at Ridder Arena. These teams met in Bemidji on the opening weekend of November with the Gophers sweeping the series 2-1 and 4-1. Minnesota (19-5-1) has won four in a row and is currently second in the conference, tied with Ohio State and chasing league-leader Wisconsin. The Gophers come into the weekend ranked third in the nation behind the top-ranked Badgers and the Buckeyes who are in second place. The Beavers (4-20-1) are struggling offensively under first-year head coach Amber Fryklund, having lost four in a row – three of them via shutout. But their coach said there will be no trouble getting her squad fired up for the weekend, indoors and outdoors. “Certainly really grateful for that opportunity we have to participate in Hockey Day. As we all know, in Minnesota it’s like a national holiday,” said Fryklund, who took over the Bemidji State program when her former boss Jim Scanlan stepped down at the end of last season. “Having that opportunity to showcase our league, women’s hockey and then play in that special day, we’re super excited for that.” Both coaches said the immediate focus is on Friday’s game at Ridder, which is a rare noon start on a weekday and is sold out with dozens of school groups coming. The Saturday outdoor game faces off at 11:30 a.m. on the outdoor rink set up in the parking lot of Valleyfair theme park. The forecast calls for overcast skies, some wind, and a temperature in the high 20s at game time. “Long johns, hand warmers, just got a heated vest,” Frost said with a smile when asked for his game day attire. “I think it’s going to be perfect for an outdoor game.” Then he shuddered at the memory of that Ohio State contest outdoors in Minneapolis five years ago, and said there was a wind of around 20 or 30 miles per hour blowing directly into the team benches that night. Friday’s game can be streamed on B1G+, while the Hockey Day Minnesota contest will be carried live on FanDuel Sports Network with Jamie Hersch and Gigi Marvin calling the action from the broadcast booth while Kevin Gorg provides updates from ice level.