Hockey Fans Gearing Up For First Playoff Game Against St. Louis

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Wild open the playoffs Thursday night in St. Louis, but fans can still watch the game at the Xcel Energy Center, where there will be a free viewing party.

Gates 1 and 2 open at 7:30 p.m., and the event is free to the public.

During the day, a pep rally was held at St. Paul's Rice Park. Wearing a Wild jersey, Gov. Mark Dayton attended the rally and declared Thursday "Go Wild! Day" in Minnesota.

"We are proud in Minnesota to call our state the State of Hockey," the governor said in a statement. "I congratulate the team on an excellent season, and wish them the very best of luck in the playoffs."

As far as the game, Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher told WCCO Radio's Dave Lee the key to this series will be winning puck battles.

"We want to get pucks to the net, and we certainly have guys who know how to skate," Fletcher said.

He said getting to the playoffs has not been easy, adding that the team went through a big slump before signing Devan Dubnyk.

"We were plummeting and simply trying to find a guy with a good track record, someone who could stop a few bucks," Fletcher said.

He said the rest is history.

"I don't think anyone anticipated he'd play this good," he said.

He said it's been a fun run, but the real work starts now.

There will be a pep rally at noon for those who wish to celebrate the playoffs a little early.