Mar 9, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; An overall view of the Xcel Energy Center prior to the game between the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Central Division Arena #5: Xcel Energy Center (Minnesota Wild)
I am so used to seeing the Avalanche behind the Minnesota Wild in the standings, power rankings and everything else that it feels good to beat them in at least one category. Minnesota may be the city with the friendliest people in all of America, but their NHL arena isn’t all that great. Not all that great doesn’t mean it’s ugly though.
The arena was built for the Minnesota’s 2000 expansion team and has been the Wild’s home ever since. As you can see in the picture above, it also kind of looks like a block of cement, but with a modern window front. To be completely honest with you, even though we’re talking about the Wild here, it looks much better in good weather and at night time, and also has nice brick walls instead of cement on the other side. Still, not as nice as the remaining four Central Division arenas.
So, United Center is simply ugly, Xcel Energy Center isn’t. But it also anything more than not ugly. It’s enough for fifth in the Central Division. Moving on.
Next: Central Division Arena #4