This Metro East Conference battle should again be a good barometer about the trajectory of both of these clubs as North St. Paul/Tartan (3-2) travel to Simley (3-3-1). North St. Paul/Tartan is coming off a 4-1 loss to Woodbury in a Metro East battle last Friday.

They are led up front by seniors Jill Tabaka (1 goal, 5 assists, 6 points) and Ella Roesler (4-0-4), as well as junior Riley Novak (3-3-6). Senior defender Elena Martinez (1-6-7) logs a lot of minutes, and junior Payton Schwantes (2-1-3) tries to neutralize opponents and help support North St. Paul/Tartan's attack. Head Coach Jaimee Nowicki will likely give sophomore goaltender Nicole James (.886% save percentage) the start against Simley.

The Spartans were called the most surprising team in Girls Hockey in the latest episode of Youth Hockey Hub's Her Ice podcast. This weekend, the Spartans battled Hill-Murray to a 3-2 loss but hope to rebound against North St. Paul/Tartan.

Simley is led at forward by juniors Mackaylan McGown (4-2-6), Abby Jeffers (0-4-4), and Ella Tuccitto (3-1-4), as well as 8th grader Ella Sanders (3-1-4). On defense, junior Skyler Arneson (2-2-4) and senior Val DuVal (1-3-4) make life miserable for opposing skaters. The defense has also helped make Simley's power-play dangerous at 28.1%. Simley Head Coach Tom Patnode has given senior goaltender Makenzie Gibson (2.48 goals-against-average) all of the starts this season.