Game Two: Lakeville South (21-7) vs. Eden Prairie (21-5-1)

Lakeville South and its suffocating and shot-blocking defense back to the state tournament under Janne Kivihalme, and the Cougars are looking to build on last season’s sixth-place finish.

Even without a 20-goal scorer, the Cougars remain dangerous on offense, paced by senior forward Zack Oelrich (17-26-43). Junior forward Cam Boche has stepped up for the Cougars this year, notching 12 goals and 37 points, and leading goal-scorer junior Cade Ahrenholz has 18 scores and 33 points. 

The Cougars are allowing just two goals per game this season, surrendering 56 in 28 games, and junior goaltender Cody Ticen has five shutouts this year. 

Eden Prairie and its half-dozen Division I commits have suffered just five losses this season, all by two goals or less. The Eagles have won nine of their last 10 games, including a thrilling 3-2 victory over Chaska in the Section 2AA final. 

Mr. Hockey finalist Ben Steeves (33-24-57) and senior Minnesota commit John Mittelstadt (19-38-57) lead the team in scoring, while junior defenseman Luke Mittelstadt (4-25-29) provides a spark from the blue line. The offense has also received a boost from the late-season varsity addition of North Dakota commit Jackson Blake, who played most of the year with junior varsity due to transfer rules. Blake has six goals and 16 points in his 10 games with the varsity.