Living in Minnesota means it’s not a shock to hear someone say that winter is their favorite season. Further inquiries into why might reveal that on Jan. 20, Lake George was host to the 12th annual Hockey Day Minnesota celebration, featuring all levels of ice hockey, honoring long traditions, and ending in a Minnesota Wild Victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-2, this year.

Also, that the next night the Vikings played, but they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, playoff hopes evaporated, despite the efforts of sudden star quarterback Kase Keenum.

Is that all? On Feb. 3, the Minnesota Wild will welcome the league leading and expansion team, the Vegas Golden Knights, chasing a wild card spot in their own playoff hopes.

On Feb 3, again, the Timberwolves play host to the New Orleans Pelicans, also looking for a playoff berth.

On Feb. 4, the brand new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis will become the center of the United States as it hosts Super Bowl LII.

The Minnesota Vikings will not be able to play for the Lombardi trophy with home field advantage against the New England Patriots.

But, Minnesota residents will get to watch a monster of a showdown between the Eagles and the . Patriots, stand proud in their immense new stadium, and hopefully, see the Patriots fall in Minnesota territory.

Four days later, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will begin, and with it 9 Minnesota Natives will be competing for gold in ice hockey alone.

Will Borgen from Moorhead, Ryan Stoa from Bloomington, Hannah Brandt from Vadnais Heights, Dani Cameranesi from Plymouth, Gigi Marvin from Warroad, Sidney Morin from Minnetonka, Kelly Pannek from Plymouth, Maddie Rooney from Andover, and Lee Stecklein from Roseville will be playing for the Men’s and Women’s U.S. Ice Hockey Teams.

Maddie Rooney will be the first female Minnesota goaltender to go to the Olympics.

The opening ceremony for the Olympics is set for Feb. 9, at 5:00 a.m. (note the time difference).