Feb. 21--Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford was watching the Seahawks-Vikings playoff game last month and didn't like what he saw.
The rising plumes of condensed breath and the bundled up masses in the stands portrayed just how cold it was at TCF Bank Stadium -- minus 6 degrees, tied for the third-coldest game in NFL history.
"I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be the same temperature (Sunday)," Crawford said.
Crawford realized that in a little more than a month, the Hawks would be playing there against the Wild in their Stadium Series matchup, and he remembered what it was like to play at Soldier Field in 2014 when the temperature at puck drop was 17 degrees.
"My feet and hands were starting to get a little chilly," Crawford said. "So hopefully it stays around the same temperature as it was (Saturday hovering at 40 or slightly above)."
With temperatures expected in the mid-30s Sunday the Hawks won't have to worry too much about the conditions, which is a bit of a relief as they play in an outdoor game for the third consecutive season and their fourth since 2009.
But even though most of the novelty of playing outdoors has worn off for some of the more veteran Hawks, the opportunity is still one they savor.
"It's good to break the normal pattern in a regular season to mix it up and do something different," defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said. "It's kind of a grind, 82 games. It's fun to have at least one that stands out a little bit."
For some of the Hawks that have played in three or four outdoor games, nothing quite will compare to their first one -- for some, like winger Patrick Kane, that was at Wrigley Field in 2009.
"It's maybe not as big as the first one. That first one was special," Kane said. "I was still kind of new to the game. We were still a pretty young team. But even now, it's one of the first games you look forward to when the schedule comes out."
There are several Hawks who will be playing in their first outdoor NHL game, and for those players Saturday there was boyish enthusiasm, the kind of excitement likes to promote for these games.
"It's crazy, these (veteran Hawks) were just walking in here like it's no big deal, because it's their fourth time," winger Vincent Hinostroza said. "I know they're excited too, but they're just used to it. The younger guys ... are just kind of in awe right now. We went out and took some pictures by the rink. We're definitely excited."
And even though they may not show it as much, so are those veteran Hawks.
The Hawks have experienced many weather conditions in their four outdoor games.
There was the bitter cold and snow of Soldier Field and there was the bright, blistering sun last season in Washington. The weather should cooperate on Sunday -- tolerable temperature and little sun to peek through a mostly cloudy sky.
"It looks like it could be ideal conditions," coach Joel Quenneville said. "It might be a little warm (for outdoors) but the ice will be like it always is so we don't expect a problem."
Added Kane: "Sometimes as players you think about that stuff too much. ... It probably would be perfect if it was maybe 30 degrees, a little bit of snowfall for the TV and cloudy so there's no glare, but we'll deal with it as we go."
The Hawks have the experience to know they probably don't have to worry about much other than the Wild on Sunday.
chine@tribpub.com
