The Washington Capitals have a strong reputation as the technology leader in the NHL, but the Minnesota Wild are challenging that title. Minnesota could wear that belt in the Western Conference at least with their latest innovation.

Minnesota Wild Deploy Virtual Reality Goalie Game

Fans at the Xcel Energy Center can now take part in a virtual reality game which puts them in the skates of the Wild’s primary goaltender, Devan Dubnyk. There are two physical components to the game, which are the VR headset and a goalie stick. The player then faces 20 shots, using footage captured from Wild YouTube videos to create the VR images.

The game is free of charge to fans thanks to its title sponsor, Hiway Federal Credit Union. A VR tech company named Visual and a marketing firm called The Brand Enhancement Group developed the game. Though it debuted to the public for the Wild’s home game against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 11, Dubnyk himself was the first to try the game.

On his second attempt, Dubnyk stopped 14 of 20 goals, and commented on the game’s quality.

“If you follow [the puck] with your eyes right down to the stick, the rebounds off the stick were pretty genuine. You get right into it and forget where you are. By the end of it you feel like you’re on the ice.”

The game will be available again at Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, then on Jan. 17, Feb. 12, March 7, March 18 and April 4.

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