Grand Rapids prevailed 4-1 when these teams met on December 20th. Can the Thunderhawks help solidify their Section 7AA seed by sweeping Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, or will they add more fog to a somewhat murky section?

Cloquet-Esko-Carlton is coming off a 5-4 loss to Coon Rapids. The Lumberjacks are led up front by seniors Patrick Dunaiski (11 goals, 8 assists, 19 points) and Dayne Painovich (5-9-14), as well as juniors Joseph Antonutti (12-6-18) and Ethan Kilichowski (5-6-11). A big part of that goal support is the power play, where Cloquet-Esko-Carlton lights the lamp at a 28.9% rate.  

On defense, senior Lucas Rauner (3-16-19) and sophomore Karson Young (2-17-19) log a lot of minutes for the Lumberjacks and provide stability and good puck movement.  

At goaltender, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton has rotated between juniors Logan Sickmann (2.25 goals against average) and Caden Kubis (2.14 goals against average) this season.  

Grand Rapids hopes to build on the momentum of a 2-1 victory over Moorhead. Seniors Hayden Davis (3-8-11) and Blayne Mortenson (6-5-11), as well as juniors Kyler Miller (5-2-7) and Gavin Forrest (5-2-7), provide most of the scoring punch up front.  

On defense, senior Will Stauffer (4-6-10), junior Bauer Murphy (2-8-10), and sophomore Luka Rohloff (2-9-11) make up one of the most well-rounded defense corps in the state. They help make Grand Rapids' penalty kill one of the best, killing penalties at an 86.7% rate.  

Senior goaltender Myles Gunderson (.928 save percentage, 2 shutouts) has carried most of the goaltending duties for the Thunderhawks this season, and he plays with a swagger and confidence in his game.