Delano/Rockford's Kali Schmidt competed for the 2007 WestCan program at last summer's North American Female Elite Showcase.
This should be an intriguing battle of a suburban school against a Big South Conference team, hoping to see how it stands against a metro area club. Delano/Rockford is coming off a victory over River Lakes, where the Tigers pulled ahead with two third-period goals to earn a 3-1 win.
Up front, the Tigers are led by freshman Kali Schmidt (10-9-19) and 8th grade Kaelyn Wittwer (8-4-12). As a team, Delano / Rockford doesn't put up a lot of goals each night, but they are pretty stingy defensively.
On defense, freshmen Audrey McClurg (4-6-10) and Kayleigh Olson (3-5-8) have the skill and skating ability to support the play in the offensive zone and disrupt the opposing attack.
Sophomore goaltender Kayla Simonson (.928 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending workload for the Tigers this season.
New Ulm is coming off a 3-0 win against Minnesota River. The Eagles have done pretty well against Big South competition, but will they do outside of the bubble?
The Eagles are led at forward by the trio of seniors Julia Helget (13-15-28) and Maddi O'Connor (10-14-24), as well as junior Brooke Arneson (15-4-19). This group has been especially effective on the power play, connecting at a 41.7% rate.
On defense, freshman Afton Hulke (6-13-17) and junior Evie Sellner (4-8-12) provide the Eagles with two quality puck movers that keep New Ulm on the attack.
Freshman goaltender Ava Brennan (1.70 goals-against-average) has been outstanding for the Eagles this season.