Elk River enters the weekend as a favorite in the 15UB Division, boasting a record of 37-1-1. The Elks cruised through the American Region with wins over Osseo-Maple Grove, Lakeville, and Sartell-Sauk Rapids. The Stormin’ Sabres were the only team to beat the Elks this season and may get another chance if they advance in the bracket. Forest Lake lost the lone regular-season meeting between the teams on Nov. 10 by a score of 3-0, but the Rangers enter the tournament having won nine of its last 12 games. 

Chaska-Chanhassen-Eden Prairie has won four of its last five games, with the lone loss coming against Minnetonka. CCEP advanced to the state tournament with a 5-0 win over Duluth and a 1-0 win ver Stillwater before the Minnetonka loss. CCEP met first-round opponent Lakeville twice this season, tying and defeating the IceCats. Lakeville has also won four of its last five games, losing to Elk River 4-1 but advancing far enough in the regional tournament to secure a place at state. 

Winners of four straight, Minnetonka has unbeaten in its last seven games, posting a record of 6-0-1 in that span. The Skippers sailed through the National Region with wins over Brainers-Little Falls, Forest Lake, and Chaska-Chanhassen-Eden Prairie, outscoring the opposition 14-2. Minnetonka and Minneapolis have squared off three times this season, with Minneapolis winning two of the three meetings. Minneapolis won seven games in a row before dropping back-to-back contests to Sartell-Sauk Rapids and Lakeville during region play. Minneapolis advanced after an opening-round win over Blaine-Spring Lake Park and a later victory over Osseo-Maple Grove. 

Sartell-Sauk Rapids has won three of its last five, and if the regular season is any indication, SSR poses the greatest threat to the dominance of Elk River. The Stormin’ Sabres got into the tournament after regional wins over Hastings 4-3 and Minneapolis 6-3. SSR has won three of its last five games. With a 4-1 win over Edina, a 3-2 triumph over Stillwater, and a 4-1 victory over Forest Lake, Brainerd-Little Falls earned the right to face SSR in the state tournament.