Grand Rapids vs. Bemidji - November 24

At the youth level, these two cities play every year. The two towns are separated by an hour's drive. By the time they play in High School, this game can get a little frisky, especially when they are both really good. The two played this Summer during their Summer Training in a game that pushed the boundaries of the second score due to penalties. Safe to say, both teams have a score or two to settle.

Hermantown vs. Wayzata - November 27

The Trojans will enter Hermantown with one of their best teams in years wtih hopes for a trip to State. They take on the Hawks who expect to go each year. A classic North/South battle to open the season. This game will be a measuring stick of who worked the hardest in the off-season and how they could fare this year.

Luverne vs. SPA - November 28

Last year, SPA hosted the Cardinals at Drake Arena on the SPA campus. Sophomore Will Kelly stole the show scoring two goals for the Spartans as they won 5-2. It was a match up of two teams that fell in the Section Finals. Both teams return the heart of their scoring punch and will enter the season very optimistic. This year's tilt will be in Luverne...look for their barn to be packed and this to be a classic.

Eden Prairie vs. Prior Lake - November 28

EP and Prior Lake are another tandem of teams that know each other well from their youth days of playing in the same league from Mites to Bantams. To add intrigue to this game, both are now in the same section (2AA) and are the consensus one and two teams heading into the season. Last year Nick Leivermann had two goals to lead the state bound Eagles to a 3-1 win. This year's game has serious section seeding implications that point to mid-February.

Mankato West vs. Mankato East - December 1

For the past few years, New Prague had dominated Section 1A. As a result of realignment, the Trojans were sent to Twin Cities power Section 2A. This leaves Section 1A wide open for teams like Albert Lea, Red Wing and the Mankatos (East and West). On December 1st, East and West clash for city bragging rights and likely a high seed in Section playoffs come February. Kyle Looft returns for the Scarlets, last year he had 36 points (11G/25A) and Judd Schultz is back for the Cougars, he had 66 points in his Junior season.

Benilde St. Margaret's vs. Hill Murray - December 3

Two Catholic powers from the opposite sides of the Mississippi will face off in Non-Conference play. Both teams return a lot of young talent including NOW Prospect Marko Reifenberger, the Hill Murray Junior was selected in the first round by Bloomington, IL of the USHL. The Scarlet Knights have a Junior superstar of their own in UCONN Commit Conor Mayer. Teams of this caliber lose great talent each year (e.g. Mikey Anderson, Hill Murray to USHL) but always seem to reload.

Holy Family vs. Minnetonka - December 4

Both schools were moved from Section 6AA to 2AA during realignment last Spring. December's battle projects to be a battle for 2, 3 or 4 seed, Eden Prairie looks to be a lock at number 1. That said any of the top five in this section could advance come March. Holy Family returns Will Garin (UCONN Commit) and NOW Prospect Matt Anderson (UMD Commit) and a line up that is really deep with young talent. Tonka only lost a handful of players from a team that lost in OT to EP to go to state. The Skippers have a deep team as well, they will lean on Upperclassmen Brendan Skarda and Zach Van Sant for production. This will likely be the last year Tonka isn't the favorite in 2AA - their young talent pool at the ninth through eleventh grades is amazing. 

Alexandria vs. St. Cloud Apollo - December 8

Apollo is the defending Section 6A Champion and they return top scorers Tanner Breidenbach and Gino Lucia. Alexandria has a great youth program that will likely reload the Cardinals to the top half of 6A again this year. Last year they went 21-3-1 in the regular season before falling to Apollo on their home ice to end their season. A classic Central Minnesota matchup that will likely have a lot of post season implications.

Lakeville North vs. Farmington - December 10

It is fair to say that these two team don't like each other. They have met in the Section 1AA title game the past two seasons with North winning both times in convincing fashion. Farmington returns scorers John Siebenaler and Grady Hauswirth up front and high end defenseman Tyler Jette on the blue line. North won't go undefeated this year, they lost a lot defensively. The Panthers have Juniors Ryan Poehling (St. Cloud State Commit) and Henry Enebak up front - those two will light it up. 

Delano vs. St. Cloud Cathedral - December 11

Last year, both teams came a goal away from State. Both return a lot of talent and likely a chip on their shoulder. Both Logan Neu (St. Cloud, 36 Points) and  Ben Meyers (Delano, Points) lead their teams last year as Juniors. Look for them to be stars in this game.