Team Minnesota’s Professional Women’s Hockey League game against Montreal on Saturday afternoon at Xcel Energy Center is going to be a happening.

A crowd in excess of 10,000 will be on hand for the first home game after Minnesota’s 3-2 victory in Boston on Wednesday in the franchise’s debut. It will be a celebration of those who have paved the way, and the beginning of an unprecedented opportunity for the women’s game.

The State of Hockey is eager to welcome a new participant in the party, a fact that had coaches and players flushed with anticipation on Friday after going through a practice at the X.

“The franchise’s goal is to be the No. 1 supported team,” head coach Ken Klee said. “Obviously, Minnesota is an unbelievable hockey market. That’s why I think there is a team here, because there are so many girls playing, women playing. As they watch us play the next 12 home games, I know they are going to be impressed.”

There are 13 Minnesotans on the roster, each of them appreciative of what lies ahead.

“Pride is the first word that comes to mind,” said Excelsior native Grace Zumwinkle, who scored the game-winning goal on Wednesday. “It’s a deeper meaning than just playing professional hockey.

“You’re representing your state, which is something a lot of us take pride in, especially playing for the Gophers as well.”

Klee welcomes the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the game while also being aware that it can impact what takes place on the ice. He made a point to address the issue with the team.

“The first thing I said was, ‘I heard we are expecting a huge turnout, which is fantastic,’ ” Klee said. “‘I’m so happy for you guys to be rewarded for all the work you put in over the years to have a professional league and a fan base. But we have a job to do.’”

The players appear to have gotten the message.

“I think it’s going to be super exciting and emotional,” said Wayzata’s Sophia Kunin, who scored Minnesota’s second goal in Boston. “I didn’t play for the Gophers — I played for Wisconsin — so this is my first time to play before home crowd in Minnesota since high school.

“A lot of us have a lot of family and friends coming to watch, so it will be exciting. You soak in the moment up until the first puck drop, then it’s hockey mode.”

Taylor Heise, a former Gophers standout who has the distinction of scoring the first goal in team history, said she’s always in hockey mode.

“I don’t get distracted with people in the stands,” Heise said. “My parents (will say) they waved at me, and I didn’t even see them. I’m not focusing on it being a big event, but on being grateful for the opportunity.”

Team Minnesota got a standout performance from goaltender Nicole Hensley in the season-opening win. Minnesota was outshot 35-16, falling short of Klee’s intentions of having a team that plays with the puck.

“It’s exciting that we found a way to win,” he said, “but I know we can play a lot better. Super proud of our squad in that the two goals (Boston) scored, the next two minutes we dominated. That’s huge for me as a coach, as a team, as our identity.”

Klee put they team through a lengthy video session on Friday to point out things it could have done better.

“Just small things,” he said. “We weren’t chipping pucks well, we weren’t great on faceoffs, we weren’t great at managing the puck at times. All of those things we are going to get way better at, which will get us getting better opportunities.”

Heise pointed to two specific areas of the game where she believes the team can improve.

“I think below the dots (in the offensive end),” she said. “We need to have better puck possession and support each other. At the end of the day, those things come with time and energy, and that’s what we’re going to give on Saturday.”

Klee said he anticipated going with the same lineup as the opener, with the one possible exception being a player who is ill. Asked Friday if Hensley will start again in goal, he said, “We’ll see tomorrow.”

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