This should be a scintillating Section 5AA showdown as these two teams scratch and claw toward the top seed. Youth Hockey Hub interviewed Maple Grove Head Coach Todd Bergland on an earlier episode of their Rink of Fire podcast.  

Maple Grove is coming off a tough 7-6 overtime loss to Centennial. The Crimson are led up front by seniors Finn Brink (Wisconsin commit, 21-26-47), Jack Kernan (11-28-39), and 6'4" Blake Steenerson (14-20-34) as well as junior Lucas Busch (10-19-29) provide Maple Grove a lot of scoring options. Rogers would be wise to avoid the penalty box, as Maple Grove's power play is rolling at 43.4%.

On defense, senior Lucas Margenau (8-21-29), Grant Leneau (6-16-22), and Beck Picconatto (3-8-11), as well as junior Connor Stelljes (1-9-10) are an experienced, well-rounded blueline group that the Crimson can lean on.  

Senior Jack Roach (.911 save percentage, 4 shutouts) has shouldered most of the goaltending duties for Maple Grove this season.  

Rogers is coming off a 6-2 victory over Totino-Grace and is riding a three-game winning streak. The Royals' forward group is led by senior Sam Ranallo (18-21-39), Carson Melquist (6-8-14), and Drew Krekelberg (6-6-12), as well as sophomores Parker Deschene (10-16-26) and Mason Jenson (13-17-30).  

On defense, senior Chase Cheslock (St. Thomas commit, 3-16-19), puck-moving sophomore Nolen Geerdes (1-13-14), and 6'5" Jackson Smithknecht (5-7-12) give Rogers a nice mix of size and skill. They excel at helping Rogers transition from defense to offense very quickly. Chase Cheslock was recently interviewed by Youth Hockey Hub as part of its Rink of Fire podcast.  

Senior Cade Chapman (.903 save percentage, 1 shutout) has carried most of the goaltending duties for Rogers this season.