ST. CLOUD -- The rink has been built and organizers are putting the finishing touches together for Hockey Day Minnesota. The two-day event runs this Friday and Saturday at Lake George in downtown St. Cloud.

Organizer Brian Schoenborn says there are a lot of reasons to be excited.

It's the first-ever men's college game from the host city.  First ever women's college game during hockey day outside.  The NHL network is coming from New York to be here all day Friday and Saturday to be a part of the ambiance of hockey in Minnesota.

Organizers are expecting between 5,000 and 8,000 people to attend the two-day event.

Free shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes between downtown and Lake George.

Friday's Schedule:
St. Cloud versus Sartell/Sauk Rapids girls game at 5:00 p.m.
St. Cloud State University alumni game at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's Schedule:
St. Cloud versus St. Cloud Cathedral boys game at 10:00 a.m.
St. Cloud State versus Minnesota-Duluth women's game at 1:00 p.m.
Moorhead versus Centennial boys game at 4:30 p.m.
St. Cloud State versus Minnesota-State Mankato at 5:00 p.m. at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center
Wild versus Tampa Bay at 8:00 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center

On Saturday, after the last game has been played down at Lake George, you can stick around and watch the SCSU versus Minnesota State-Mankato game and the Minnesota Wild game on the big screen TVs. He says the Fox Sports North broadcast will continue to be based here in town that night.

A free concert featuring the Fabulous Armadillos will entertain the crowd on Saturday night.

Over 300 volunteers are working to help run the event.

Hockey Day Minnesota has been around for 12 years now, but this is the first time St. Cloud has hosted the event.

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