Alexandria at River Lakes
December 7 (7:15 PM)
This is the first of two meetings between these two Central Lakes conference foes as the Cardinals make their way to Paynesville to face the Stars.
Alexandria is coming off an 8-1 loss to Moorhead. The Cardinals are led at forward by senior Sophia Korynta (3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points), juniors Caydence Ellingson (1-1-2) and Kennedy Ellingson (3-2-5) as well as sophomore Lillian Dutton (1-1-2) carry the majority of Alexandria's scoring. On defense, senior Maya Wagner (0-4-4) and junior Emma Ramstorf (1-2-4) log a lot of minutes and like to be involved in the offensive zone. The Cardinals are solid on the penalty kill, killing penalties at a 90% rate.
At goaltender, the Cardinals have leaned on juniors Rachael Mohr (.880 save percentage) and Hunter Sellnow (1 shutout) to keep games low-scoring due to Alexandria's current struggles to generate offense.
River Lakes is coming off a 5-0 victory over Northern Lakes. The Stars are hoping to build off a young core of forwards led by juniors Sophia Hess (12-7-19) and Ayla McLellan (2-3-5), as well as sophomore sniper Abby Storms (8-6-14) gives River Lakes some solid scoring punch up front. On defense, senior Aubree McDonagh (4-1-5) is River Lakes' two-way workhorse and, along with junior Dalayne Hattlestad (1-2-3) and sophomore Hailey Ruhoff (0-1-1), will try to limit the Cardinals' scoring chances.
At goaltender, junior Kaydance Roeske (Minnesota State commit, .970 save percentage) is one of the best in Class A and has carried most of the starts this season for the Stars.
Moorhead at Holy Family
December 8 (7:00 PM)
The Spuds' last trip into the metro area left them stinging a bit after an 8-3 loss to Benilde-St. Margaret's, will they find more success against Holy Family?
Moorhead is coming off an 8-1 rout of Alexandria. The Spuds are led at forward by juniors Olivia Kortan (4-10-14), Lauren Henemen (2-4-6), and Addy Moos (1-4-5), as well as senior Ella Holm (6-4-10) provide Moorhead with quality scoring options up front. On defense, senior Kate Kosobud (Minnesota commit, 2-4-6) and junior Anika Stromme (1-2-3) are leaned on and mentor a young blueline group. Junior goaltender Taylor Kressin (.901 save percentage) has made all of Moorhead's starts this season.
Holy Family is coming off a 5-4 victory over Duluth. The Fire's forward group is led by senior Jenna Allen (4-5-9), junior Josie Linn (1-5-6), sophomores Katya Sander (5-2-7) and Addy Cowan (3-5-8), as well as freshman Ella Sharkey (4-3-7) who give Holy Family plenty of scoring punch.
Holy Family's power play has been particularly effective, finding the back of the net at a 36% rate. On defense, juniors Casey Cronin (1-3-4) and Maielle Schugel (0-2-2), as well as sophomore Lilli DeFauw (2-5-7), keep the ice tilted in the offensive zone and help the Fire transition quickly from defense to offense.
At goaltender, sophomore Kayla Swartout (.924 save percentage) has carried the majority of the starts this season for Holy Family, but they have utilized senior Quinn McDonald (St. Benedict commit, 1 shutout) as well.
Taylor Kressin, Moorhead
Andover at Proctor/Hermantown
December 8 (7 PM)
Andover makes the trip up to the 218 to take on Proctor/Hermantown. Can the Huskies assert dominance, or will they discover it's just a Mirage?
Andover is coming off a 12-0 rout of Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper. At forward, the Huskies are led by senior Nora Sauer (St. Thomas commit, 5-2-7) as well as juniors Maya Engler (St. Thomas commit, 2-3-5) and Hannah Christenson (Northeastern commit, 4-1-5) provide Andover plenty of scoring punch.
Defensively, senior Cailin Mumm (St. Thomas commit, 1-5-6), as well as juniors Courtney Little (St. Thomas commit, 0-5-5) and Mackenzie Jones (Wisconsin commit, 4-4-8), allow the Huskies to match up with just about anyone. The Huskies have split starts at goaltender between Orono transfer sophomore Clairebella Hills (.854 save percentage) and freshman Olivia Nedved (.854 save percentage) this season.
Proctor/Hermantown is coming off a 4-3 victory over Gentry Academy. As discussed on YHH's latest episode of Her Ice, for as talented as this club is, they have struggled to score goals. The Mirage is led at forward by seniors Izy Fairchild (Bemidji State commit, 4-4-8) and Hailey Jussila (3-2-5), as well as junior Jane Eckstrom (6-2-8), giving Proctor/Hermantown provide most of their scoring. Senior Morgan LaValley (1-4-5) sets the tone on defense at the Mirage's end of the ice.
Eighth-grader Taylee Manion (1-2-3) and freshman Avery Milbridge (0-2-2) glimpse the future promise for Proctor/Hermantown's defense corps. The Mirage has split starts at goaltender between junior Neelah McLeod (.888 save percentage) and sophomore Suri Langley (.881 save percentage) this season.
Izy Fairchild, Proctor/Hermantown
Hill-Murray at Minnetonka
December 9 (2:00 PM)
Is this a preview of a possible game at the Girls Class AA State Tournament? These two unbeaten teams clash in what should be an absolute treat of a game. Who will prevail?
Hill-Murray is coming off a 10-0 rout of South St. Paul. The Pioneers possess a speedy group of forwards led by seniors Chloe Boreen (St. Thomas commit, 7-5-12) and Maddy Morrell (1-3-4), junior Regan Berglund (5-2-7), along with promising freshmen Emily Pohl (8-2-10) and Jaycee Chatelain (3-4-7) have the skill and scoring potential that can put opponents on their heels.
On defense, junior Josie Skoogman (Cornell commit, 1-3-4) leads a young group of defenders like sophomore Elli Petronack (0-4-4) and eighth-grader Olivia Braunshausen (0-4-4). Senior goaltender Grace Zhan (Dartmouth commit, .970 save percentage) gives Hill-Murray one of the best in the state at her position.
Minnetonka is coming off a 13-0 demolition of Chaska/Chanhassen. At forward, seniors Kendra Distad (Minnesota commit, 5-8-13), Lindzi Avar (Cornell commit, 4-11-15), juniors Lauren Mack (Providence commit, 7-7-14), Ruby Rauk (Quinnipiac commit, 2-7-9) and Senja Leeper (Bemidji State commit, 1-5-6) provide skill and scoring in abundance. The Skippers' power play is one of the best in the state, lighting the lamp at a 57.7% rate.
On defense, senior captain Lauren Goldsworthy (Minnesota State, 3-8-11) and junior Bella Finnegan (Harvard commit, 3-3-6) lead a youthful group that likes to get involved offensively while being very responsible in their own end of the ice.
Junior Ashlyn Hazlett (Bemidji State commit, .914 save percentage) has carried the majority of the workload so far, but the Skippers have also utilized fellow junior Layla Hemp (Minnesota commit, .939 save percentage) this season.
Olivia Braunshausen, Hill-Murray
Lakeville South at Apple Valley
December 9 (6:00 PM)
This South Suburban Conference showdown should have plenty of excitement and plenty of goals, but which team will earn a victory?
Lakeville South is coming off a 3-2 victory over Prior Lake. The Cougars are led at forward by junior Josie Grossman (7-5-12) as well as seniors Ella Fowler (1-7-8) and Brynn O'Neill (2-2-4) as they carry most of Lakeville South's offense.
Lakeville South takes full advantage of the power play, finding the back of the net at a 38.9% rate. Seniors Lilly Hunst (3-4-7) and Nicole McKinney (0-2-2) bring a lot of poise and experience to Lakeville South's defense. At goaltender, senior Claire Bronson (.941 save percentage) has made all of the starts for the Cougars this season.
Apple Valley is coming off a 9-2 route from Metro South. Juniors Makayla Moran(Minnesota State commit, 12-13-25) and Avery Ryan (3-11-14) lead a young group of forwards for Apple Valley. As dynamic as the Eagles' can be offensively, they have yet to convert on the power play this season.
On defense, senior Molly Hentges (3-6-9) and Anna Hansen (0-4-4), as well as freshman Lelia Korkowski (5-6-11), provide a mix of solid defensive play and some offensive flash. Apple Valley has split starts at goaltender between sophomore Eleanor Carlson (.917 save percentage) and freshman Finley Engfer (.940 save percentage) this season.
Brynn O'Neill, Lakeville South