This is a great clash between two north metro Class AA schools that want to show the rest of the state they deserve to be in the conversation as a contender.  

White Bear Lake is coming off an 8-1 demolition of Class A Hibbing / Chisholm over Thanksgiving weekend.  

The Bears are led at forward by the 1-2 punch of senior Aiden Welch (3-4-7) and Nolan Roed (St. Cloud State commit). Seniors Charlie Olsen (3-0-3) and Brady Borgestad (1-3-4), as well as talented sophomore Jack Stanius (1-3-4), give White Bear Lake two solid scoring lines.  

On defense, seniors Grady Gallatin (0-2-2) and Joe Belisle (1-0-0), along with sophomore Will Distad (1-1-2), contribute at both ends of the ice, and are an active group that likes to pull the trigger.  

At goaltender, the Bears have split starts between senior Colin Thompson (.950 save percentage) and sophomore Leo Gabriel (.875 save percentage) this season.  

The Cougars are hoping to get back on track after losing 7-4 to Eastview over the weekend.  

Centennial's attack is led by junior Harper Searles (1-5-6) as well as seniors Drake Ramirez (3-1-4) and Peyton Blair (3-1-4), which makes for a quality top line. Still, secondary scoring is a bit of a concern.  

On the blueline, senior Sam Menne (0-1-1) and intriguing 6'2" sophomore Lykaios Bisek will try to improve a penalty kill that got off to a rough start as it's operating at a 57.1% so far this season.   

Junior goaltender Gavin Schahn (.846 save percentage) brings an NHL-sized 6'3" frame to the crease, and he'll undoubtedly see a lot of shots from the Bears.