Hill-Murray at Mahtomedi 
January 25 (7:00 PM) 

This rematch pits two of Minnesota High School hockey's most veteran head coaches in Hill-Murray's Bill Lechner (26th year, 530+ wins) and Mahtomedi's Jeff Poeschl (27th season, 500+ wins). The Pioneers won the first game of this Metro East battle, 3-1, on December 12th. Will Hill-Murray be able to earn a sweep over the Zephyrs? 

Hill-Murray is coming off a 4-3 overtime victory against Grand Rapids and has won four of their last five games. The Pioneers are led by seniors Simon Seidl (Minnesota football commit, 4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points) and Lucas Mann (3-7-10), as well as juniors Jackson Reeves (6-6-12) and Boden Sampair (13-9-22) should give Hill-Murray plenty of speed and scoring from its top two lines. Sophomore Chaz Lentz (3-11-14), freshman Riley Zupfer (3-9-12), and Caden Zasada (6-5-11) are names to watch for the future of this Pioneers' club.  

On defense, senior Joe Luger (2-6-8), juniors Landon Cottingham (5-4-9) and Graham Greeder (3-11-14), as well as sophomore Casper Lang (4-4-8) help Hill-Murray dictate the pace of play and are equally adept at both ends of the ice.  

Senior goaltender Andrew Lane (.886 save percentage) has shouldered most of the goaltending duties for the Pioneers, but they have given opportunities to junior Jackson Johnson (.920 save percentage) too.  

Mahtomedi is coming off a 4-0 loss to Eden Prairie and has won three out of their last five games. The Zephyrs are led at forward by seniors Jake Hodd-Chlebeck (13-14-27) and Gene Wegleitner (6-15-21) as well as the Egan brothers; senior Patrick Egan (9-3-12) and sophomore Jimmy Egan (7-19-26) along with junior Winston Wright (6-4-10) give Mahtomedi scoring depth.  

On defense, seniors William Brummel (2-7-9) and 6'8", 215lbs Wyatt Tarnowski (1-5-6), as well as junior Sam Harris (1-9-10) and sophomore Cody Loida (1-4-5) are an experienced and battle-tested defense corps. Despite their struggles, the Zephyrs' penalty kill is relatively strong, killing opposing power plays at an 86.3% rate.

The Zephyrs have leaned more on senior Charlie Brandt (.894 save percentage) between the pipes as the season has gone on, but they have given junior Wes Strub (.923 save percentage) some starts.

Maple Grove at Grand Rapids 
January 26 (7:00 PM) 

This is an intriguing matchup of teams jockeying for section playoffs. While neither team is in the same section, the victory may end up having seeding ramifications as far as comparable scores go. So, which team will add another feather to its cap?  

Maple Grove is coming off a 4-1 victory over Elk River/Zimmerman. The Crimson are led at forward by seniors Lucas Busch (UMass-Lowell commit, 13-13-26), Luke Giuliani (7-7-14), David Kukkonen (4-10-14), and 6'5", 205lbs Andrew Karkoc (10-8-18) give Maple Grove an enviable mix of speed, size and skill up front.  

On defense, seniors Connor Stelljes (4-5-9) and Owen Smith (3-9-12), as well as sophomore Logan Lutner (4-8-12), are terrific puck movers and help support Crimson's attack. Maple Grove's penalty kill is solid, killing opposing power plays at an 89.8% rate.

Junior Zach Price (.923 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending workload so far, but they have also utilized senior Henry Friese (2 shutouts). 

Grand Rapids is coming off a hard-fought 4-3 overtime loss to Hill-Murray and has won two of their last five games. The Thunderhawks forward group is led by seniors Jacob Garski (8-16-24) and Kyler Miller (3-6-9), as well as sophomores Seth Carlson (7-6-13) and Nathan Garski (9-12-21), give Grand Rapids balanced scoring through its top two lines.  

On defense, seniors Bauer Murphy (10-5-15) and Nathan Langlois (1-0-1), junior Luka Rohloff (1-4-5) as well as sophomore William Shermoen (2-6-8) are a well-rounded group that can neutralize the rush while also contributing offensively too.  

At goaltender, the Thunderhawks have given the lion's share of starts to sophomore Carter Casey (.908 save percentage) but have provided opportunities to juniors Ryan Kerr (.893 save percentage) and Ryder Miskovich (.911 save percentage) as well.

Moorhead at Wayzata 
January 27 (1:00 PM) 

As part of the festivities of Hockey Day Minnesota in Warroad, the second game features another strong northwestern Minnesota program in the Moorhead Spuds against metro area powerhouse Wayzata. The Spuds lost to Wayzata, 6-1, on their first game of the season on November 24th. Can the Trojans get the regular season sweep? YHH recently interviewed Moorhead Head Coach Jon Ammerman on their Rink of Fire podcast episode.  

Moorhead is coming off a 7-1 rout of St. Cloud and has won two of their last five games. The Spuds are led at forward by juniors Carter Midthune (3-5-8), Mason Kraft (Minnesota State commit, 6-9-15), Brooks Cullen (8-4-12), Carson Kuntz (4-2-6) and Carver Hasbargen (2-7-9) are starting to heat up. Sophomore Tyden Bergeson (9-7-16) and freshman Zac Zimmerman (8-12-20) both have outstanding wheels. The Spuds' power play is rolling along at 30%.  

On defense, Brandon Mickelson (1-13-14), Aiden Dufault (2-4-6), Carter Huotari (0-2-2) and sophomore Zak Devig (0-4-4) will be leaned upon to try to stifle the Trojans offense.  

Senior goaltender Kai Weigel (.898 save percentage) is one of the best in Class AA and can steal games.

Undefeated Wayzata is coming off a 6-0 rout of Buffalo and is riding a four-game winning streak. The Trojans possess a very experienced group of forwards led by seniors Brittan Alstead (7-23-30), Rhys Wallin (12-16-28), Jake Mattson (11-14-25), Cade De St. Hubert (8-18-26), Brooks Gengler (10-14-24) and Luke Miller (15-12-27) that give Wayzata outstanding scoring balance through its top three lines.

On defense, senior Hawke Huff (1-9-10), as well as juniors Carson Clark (2-13-15) and Finn De St. Hubert (Yale commit, 1-11-12) give Wayzata stability and veteran depth that few teams can match. Senior Jack Hartle is still out of the lineup. It should be no surprise with such a defensively responsible team that Wayzata's penalty kill is relatively good, killing opposing power plays at an 87% rate.  

At goaltender, the Trojans have leaned on senior Evan Turek (.916 save percentage) this season.

Roseau at Warroad 
January 27 (4:30 PM) 

A historic rivalry is placed on a bigger stage as these legends of northwestern Minnesota face off for the second time of the season as part of Hockey Day Minnesota. Roseau won the previous meeting 3-2 in overtime on Jan.9 . Can the Rams pull off the sweep?

Roseau is coming off a 4-4 tie to East Grand Forks and has won eight of their last ten games. Roseau is led at forward by seniors Noah Urness (St. Cloud State commit, 26-28-54) and Gavin Jensen (14-17-31), along with junior Jake Halvorson (19-19-38), carry the majority of the scoring for the Rams. Noah Urness was interviewed as part of a YHH Rink of Fire podcast.  

On defense, senior Alex Ballard (6-18-24) and Jake Kvien (2-10-12), as well as junior Austin Klint (2-6-8), will be tasked with trying to shut down Warroad's vaunted top line. Roseau's penalty kill doesn't give up much, as they've killed off 89.8% of opposing power plays this season.  

Senior Connor Woidtke (.907 save percentage) has carried most of the starts for Roseau, but they have utilized fellow seniors Atreyu Jones (.882 save percentage) and Brayton Levesque (.908 save percentage) this season.

Warroad is coming off a 5-2 victory over Duluth Denfeld and has won eight out of their last ten games. Warroad is led at forward by seniors Carson Pilgrim (North Dakota commit, #137 ranked North American skater, 20-21-41) and Murray Marvin-Cordes (15-14-29) as well as junior Taven James (12-22-34) in addition to sophomores Dominic Anthony (6-6-12) and Ryan Shaugabay (5-7-12) give the Warriors steady firepower up front. Their power play is finding the back of the net at a 27.5% rate.

On defense, seniors Ryan Lund (13-15-28) and Will Hardwick (0-6-6), as well as sophomore Broden Hontvet (2-18-20), will help Warroad lock things down defensively while also taking chances to chip in offensively.  

Senior Ben Norris (.906 save percentage) has started in every game for Warroad this season.

Edina at Eden Prairie 
January 27 (7:00 PM) 

This rematch could also have some seeding implications even though both teams do not occupy the same section. Edina won the first time these two clubs met at the Edina Holiday Classic on December 16th. Can the Hornets sweep the Eagles?

Edina is coming off an 8-2 rout of St. Michael-Albertville and has won eight of their last ten games. At forward, seniors Jackson Nevers (Minnesota commit, 9-9-18), John Halverson (5-12-17), Bobby Cowan (St. Thomas commit, 10-7-17), Ryan Flaherty (5-3-8), and Benilde-St. Margaret transfer Michael Risteau (Western Michigan commit, 8-11-19) and gifted sophomore Mason West (7-9-16) give Edina lots of speed, skill, and scoring potential. YHH recently interviewed Jackson Nevers as part of their Rink of Fire podcast.  

On defense, senior Barrett Dexheimer (UMass commit, 2-9-11), as well as junior Robby Hoch (2-7-9) and talented sophomore Sam Peckham (1-7-8), give Edina a blue line that is active at both ends of the ice. The Hornets' penalty kill has been good, stifling opposing power plays at 86.7%.

The Hornets will likely lean on senior goaltender Joe Bertram (.942 save percentage), and he has been rock-solid for Edina.

Eden Prairie is coming off a 4-0 loss to #1 ranked Minnetonka and has won three out of their last five games. The Eagles' attack is led by forwards senior Cole Saterdalen (9-12-21), juniors Rio Treharne (7-14-21), Alex Hall (10-10-20), Chase Klute (9-5-14) and John Kleis (6-11-17) as well as talented sophomore Mason Moe (10-11-21) are going to be leaned upon to provide much of the scoring load. Eden Prairie's power play has been heating up lately, lighting the lamp at a 28.6% rate.

On defense, seniors Tommy Moen (1-8-9) and Dylan Vornwald (5-5-10), as well as junior Nick Koering (0-3-3), keep it simple in their own end.  

Senior goaltender Isaiah Paulnock (.945 save percentage) is the go-to option for the Eagles between the pipes.