This is an intriguing Metro East battle with seeding ramifications for Section 4A. Here, you can listen to an interview with South St. Paul Head Coach Dave Palmquist on an earlier episode of Youth Hockey Hub's Her Ice podcast. 

South St. Paul is coming off a 4-1 victory to take 3rd place in the Kaposia Classic. The Packers are led at forward by sophomore Bailey Vesper (10-13-23), senior Sarah Wincentsen (8-13-21), and junior Eva Beck (8-4-12) have been showing improved chemistry as the season has gone on. 

On defense, talented sophomore Lily Pachl (8-13-21) is an all-situations workhorse who can dictate the tempo of a game, while senior Kylie Evazich (2-6-8) and junior Annie Felton (1-3-4) round out an active defense corps. The Packers have yet to surrender a power-play goal this season.  

At goaltender, senior Delaney Norman (1.32 goals against average, 4 shutouts) has been the Packers' workhorse for years. 

Simley is brimming with confidence after a 10-1 rout of New Prague. The Spartans are led by seniors Ella Tuccitto (21-16-37) and MacKaylan McGown (6-33-39), as well as juniors Kelsi Ries (12-7-19) and Val DuVal (6-6-12) get Simley's offense up to speed. Talented freshman Ella Sanders (15-8-23) is a rising star. 

On defense, seniors Olivia Patnode (0-10-10), Skyler Arneson (4-6-10), and junior Hannah Kurowski (2-3-5) do what they can to get the puck back to Simley's forwards so they can go to work. 

At goaltender, sophomore Sydney Ries (2.47 goals against average) has shouldered most of the workload for the Spartans this season.