It’s a statewide hockey holiday, and it’s almost here. The puck drops on the eighth annual Hockey Day Minnesota this Saturday, Jan. 18.

Presented by Minnesota Hockey, Minnesota Wild and FOX Sports North, the day includes 16 hours of continuous coverage live from Handke Pit in Elk River. Three high school games, a University of Minnesota Gopher men’s game and the Minnesota Wild highlight the day. But live game action on TV and at the pond isn’t all that Hockey Day offers.

Here are some other events and ideas to help make this year’s Hockey Day Minnesota great, as well as a preview of each of the day’s broadcasted games.

HEP Essay Contest – A winner will be crowned in Minnesota Hockey’s HEP Essay Contest, presented by Park Dental. Cameron Pietrusa, a Squirt from the Hermantown Area Hockey Association, Joslin Mumm, a 10U-A player from the Coon Rapids Youth Hockey Association, and Owen Faste, a Squirt from the Chisago Lakes Hockey Association were announced as this year’s finalists.

Each of the finalists will have their essays on how “I can make my team better by…” highlighted during the day on FOX Sports North. The winner will be randomly selected during Saturday evening’s Minnesota Wild game and will receive a “dream day” experience on a Wild game day during the 2014-15 season.

Hashtag Hockey Day – For the first time in Hockey Day history, FOX Sports North will be incorporating live social media updates into their broadcast. Share your Hockey Day experiences by using #HDM2014 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Select photos and text will be used throughout the broadcast and on-screen on FOX Sports North Plus. Include Minnesota Hockey in on the excitement by tweeting to us at @MinnHockey.

Hockey Expo – If you plan on making the trip to Elk River, check out the Hockey Expo at the Handke Center. Hockey vendors and puck enthusiasts unite with plenty of goodies and information all related to our favorite sport. Stop by Minnesota Hockey’s booth and say hello!

Home for the Weekend – With five Division I hockey teams, college hockey is always plentiful here in the State of Hockey. Saturday, nearly all of the teams will be showcased at home. The Gophers host Ohio State at Mariucci at 5 p.m., as part of FOX Sports North’s broadcast schedule. Joining them with home-ice advantage are three other Division I men’s teams and two women’s squads:

Men’s: Western Michigan at St. Cloud State, 7:07 p.m.
Men’s: Denver at University of Minnesota-Duluth, 7:07 p.m.
Men’s: Ferris State at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Women’s: Wisconsin at Bemidji State, 2:07 p.m.
Women’s: Ohio State at Minnesota-Duluth, 3:07 p.m.

If a visit to Handke Pit isn’t in the cards this year, show your pride in our Minnesota college talent by attending a college game near you!

Team Bonding Time – For those participating in one of the 46 youth hockey tournaments being played this weekend, take advantage of the chance to bond with your team while watching Hockey Day Minnesota. Gather in someone’s hotel room with some drinks and snacks and you will be ready to enjoy time with teammates off the ice while picking up tips to use during Sunday’s games.

Host Your Own Hockey Day – Part of what makes Hockey Day Minnesota so special is honoring our history and tradition of outdoor hockey. So grab your buddies and your skates and head to an outdoor rink or nearby pond for your own outdoor competition. Then, head inside for hot chocolate and turn on FSN to catch up on all of the action.

10:15 a.m. Rochester Lourdes vs. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton – Two traditional powers from opposite ends of the state square off in the first game of the day. Freshman Montana Streit has been a bright spot for the struggling Rochester Lourdes (3-11-1) with 15 points through 15 games. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (5-9-1) has had a better season than their record shows, with seven of their nine losses coming in games separated by two goals or less including close games with Eden Prairie and Duluth East. Senior James Newgen has posted 16 points alongside linemates Kobey Bender and Ryan Lind who have 14 points apiece.

1 p.m. Elk River vs. Stillwater – Hosts Elk River (9-3-0) are off to a great start for the season going undefeated through six games in the Northwest Conference. They have also posted hallmark wins over Edina, Duluth East, Maple Grove and conference rival, Blaine. A veteran-heavy team, junior Jake Jaremko leads them in points with 32. On the opposite bench, Stillwater (8-6-0) seems to be hitting its stride, winning three of its past four including a victory over Minnetonka.  Seniors John Heddle and Mitch Reinke are the point producers, combining for 35 points.

4 p.m. Elk River vs. Anoka (girls’) – Conference foes in the Northwest Suburban conference, Elk River currently stands ahead of Anoka with a 10-5-3 record. But Anoka (6-10-1) bested Elk River in the teams’ last meeting on Nov. 12 with a 2-1 score. Blair Parent leads Anoka with 20 points while the Elks count on Abby Canton who has 19 points this season.

Looking to make the trek to Elk River? Purchase your tickets in advance and save $5.

5 p.m. University of Minnesota vs. Ohio State – The top ranked Gophers (15-2-3) will look to build on an already impressive 5-0-1 record in the Big Ten, which includes the conferences first ever home and road series sweeps, against the Buckeyes (11-6-1).  Ohio State’s roster includes five Minnesota natives, highlighted by Lakeville South graduate, Drew Brevig, who is leading the team’s defenseman with eight points as a freshman.

8 p.m. Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars – Rounding out a day of fantastic hockey, the Minnesota Wild will host an all-important Central Division matchup versus the Dallas Stars.  As the 4th and 5th teams in the division standings, respectively, this game has major playoff implications. The Wild are 13-9-2 all-time against the Stars in the friendly confines of Xcel Energy Center including a 5-1 victory earlier this season.