They skated in the morning instead of at night, and there wasn't an outfield just beyond the boards.
But Wild players had the upcoming Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Target Field against the Blues on their minds while practicing outside on Saturday at the Recreation Outdoor Center in St. Louis Park.
"We're excited to play that Winter Classic game," alternate captain Marcus Foligno said. "Getting a feel out here, outside, it was kind of like the pregame before that game. It was a lot of fun."
Fresh off a 7-1 dusting of the Jets on Friday afternoon at the beginning of a five-game homestand, the Wild prepared for another matinee Sunday at Xcel Energy Center against the Lightning in front of a boisterous crowd that roared as players tossed pucks into the stands at the end of the session.
The cheers for Kirill Kaprizov, who helped spearhead that lopsided win over Winnipeg with a four-point effort, were particularly loud.
"Our fans have been absolutely incredible all year," coach Dean Evason said. "For them to have the ability to get close to us like they did today was exciting for us, as well."
Not only was the sun out during practice, but the temperature was in the 30s. That might not be the case on New Year's Day; last Jan. 1, when the Wild was originally scheduled to host the Winter Classic before it was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the temperature in Minneapolis maxed out in the 20s.
"This was perfect today," Blaine native Nick Bjugstad said. "If we get mid-30s, that would work. It'd be ideal. But January, I don't know if it's going to be so forgiving then. You feel it out. We've all had the cold feet, cold fingers. I'm sure the adrenaline will just kick in. It'll be a game to remember."
