Luverne at New Ulm, Jan. 20 (7:00 PM)


Reghan Bork, Luverne

This is a crucial Big South Conference and Section 3-1A rematch as these two ambitious teams battle it out, most likely for the top seed in the section. The Eagles defeated Luverne 7-3 earlier in the season, but can Luverne split the regular-season series?

Luverne is coming off a 6-1 victory against Waseca. The Cardinals have a high-powered attack and have averaged over eight goals per game this season.

Up front, they are led by the state's leading scorer (in either boys or girls high school hockey) in junior Minnesota State commit Kamryn Van Batavia (66-37-103). Senior Reghan Bork (35-38-73) and freshman Peyton Behr (17-32-49) provide supplemental scoring for the Cardinals. Luverne's power play is finding the back of the net on 50% of its chances.  

Freshman Macie Edstrom (4-21-25) and junior Mallory Nelson (4-18-22) pace the Luverne defenders in scoring.

In the crease, senior goaltender Cheyenne Schutz (1.59 goals-against-average) will likely be the Cardinals' go-to option. 

The Eagles are also eager to prove they are ready to make their own run towards the state tournament after an impressive 6-2 win over Delano / Rockford but a 3-0 loss to Class AA Dodge County on Saturday.  

New Ulm is led at forward by seniors Julia Helget (15-22-37) and Maddi O'Connor (13-20-33), as well as junior Brooke Arneson (18-7-25). The trio gives the Eagles consistent scoring up front.  

On defense, sophomore Afton Hulke (9-14-23) and junior Evie Sellner (5-9-14) support the play effectively at both ends of the ice, contributing to New Ulm's power-play success rate of 40%.  

Between the pipes, freshman goaltender Ava Brennan (1.80 goals-against-average) will surely be tested, but she held Luverne's attack to just three goals the last time they faced one another. Can Brennan pull off a similar performance in the teams' second meeting?