MINNEAPOLIS — The transformation of TCF Bank Stadium into a temporary hockey arena has begun on the University of Minnesota campus.

NHL officials took over the football field Tuesday to start the process of getting it ready for a rink, less than two weeks before the Wild will take on the Chicago Blackhawks in the first professional outdoor game held in Minnesota.

Part of the NHL’s Stadium Series, the Wild-Blackhawks game will take place on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 21. There’s an exhibition game featuring alumni from both teams scheduled for Saturday afternoon, Feb. 20.

TCF Bank Stadium hosted outdoor college games between the Minnesota and Ohio State men’s and women’s teams two years ago.