La Crescent-Hokah at Luverne 
February 15 (6:00 PM) 

This is an intriguing late-season matchup of two southern Minnesota schools with plenty of scoring flair as both clubs travel along Interstate 90 to Austin for the big showdown at Riverside Arena.

Can Wyatt Farrell become the top goal scorer in boys' High School hockey history by breaking former Little Falls standout Ben Hanowski's record of 196 goals? Farrell needs four to break the record; which team will come out on top?  

La Crescent-Hokah is coming off a 4-1 victory over Wausau West and is carrying the momentum of a nineteen-game win streak. The Lancers are led by the high-scoring quartet of seniors Wyatt Farrell (48 goals, 37 assists, 85 points), Noah Gillette (42-35-77), Michal Stojka (17-27-44), and Cody Hogan (11-4-15), as well as juniors Ethan Myhre (9-27-36) and Alex Von Arx (8-10-18), is a group that is averaging over seven goals per game. La Crescent-Hokah's power play has been on fire, finding the back of the net at a 35.6% rate. Wyatt Farrell recently joined YHH's Rink of Fire podcast for an interview.  

On defense, seniors Colton Holzer (13-29-42), Tobias Sajdok (11-19-30), and Cooper Johnson (2-3-5), as well as juniors Drew Peters (3-7-10) and Mitch Reining (4-10-14) move the puck with poise and confidence and do a great job of denying time and space to opposing attackers. The Lancers' penalty kill collapses well around the goaltender, and thus, they don't give up much, killing opposing penalties at an 86.5% rate. 

The Lancers have split goaltending duties between sophomore Charlie Wieser (.908 save percentage) and senior Collin Morken (.915 save percentage) this season.

Luverne is coming off a 5-2 victory over Minnesota River and has won five out of their last six games. The Cardinals are led at forward by seniors Owen Sudenga (32-32-64), Patrick Kroski (13-30-43), and Elliott Domagala (18-18-36), junior Alexander Schlosser (6-15-21) along with sophomores Landyn Lais (18-25-43) and Maddux Domagala (23-16-39) give Luverne great scoring depth up front.

6'4" junior Blaik Bork (13-21-34) and sophomore Blake Sauer (7-5-12) moonlight between forward and defense for the Cardinals. Luverne is good on the power play, scoring 27.4% on the man advantage.

On defense, seniors Henry Hartquist (9-13-22), junior Layke Miller (0-2-2), sophomore Jaxon Lais (2-7-9), and freshman Benjamin Hartquist (8-12-20) don't mind taking risks to generate offense from the back end.  

At goaltender, senior Tyler Arends (.894 save percentage) has shouldered most of the workload for Luverne this season, but they have given opportunities to sophomores Gavin Hoven (.908 save percentage) and Xander Remme (.917 save percentage) as well.    

Northern Lakes at Proctor 
February 15 (7:00 PM) 

This is an exciting late-season Class A matchup as the Lightning make their way to the St. Luke's Sports and Events Center to take on the Rails, two clubs with big ambitions going into section play. Which team will earn a victory to make their respective sections take notice?  

Northern Lakes is coming off a 4-3 victory over Robbinsdale Armstrong-Cooper and has won three out of their last five games. The Lightning is led at forward by seniors Logan Verville (10-10-20), Taylor Berg (12-11-23), and Kolby Severson (6-8-14) as well as juniors Drew Paulbeck (21-23-44), Jerome Martin (16-13-29) and Easton Anderson (9-8-17) give Northern Lakes quality scoring depth.  

On defense, senior Isaac Peterson (2-11-13), junior Wyatt Balmer (6-14-20), and freshman Grant Vershey (0-8-8) are a group that likes to get involved at both ends of the ice. The Lightning's penalty kill is solid, stifling opposing power plays at 84.7%.

Senior goaltender Nigel DeSanto (.892 save percentage) has made most of the starts this season, but the Lightning have used sophomore Hunter Moreland (.911 save percentage) too.

Proctor is coming off an 8-0 rout of North Shore and are on a six-game win streak. The Rails' forward group is led by seniors Ethan Carter (5-4-8), Wyatt Mineheine (15-4-19), and Dylan Davidson (6-11-17), as well as juniors Austin Bryant (19-14-33) and Tanner Ross (18-25-43) give Proctor good scoring depth through its top two lines.  

On defense, seniors Carson Pavlowich (6-27-33), Nolan Okstad (1-10-11), and Cooper Johnson (5-4-9), junior Cooper Annala (3-10-13) and sophomore Breckin Ross (7-12-19) are a well-rounded group that likes to engage at both ends of the ice.

YHH recently interviewed goaltender A.J. Reyelts as part of its Rink of Fire podcast. Senior goaltender A.J. Reyelts (Lindenwood commit, .946 save percentage) has been Proctor's ace between the pipes.

St. Cloud Cathedral at Monticello 
February 15 (7:00 PM) 

This game has significant seeding ramifications in section 5A as the Crusaders travel down I-94 to Moose Sherritt Arena in Monticello. This game could very well be what determines who ends up with the top seed in Section 5A. Which club will earn that crucial victory?  

St. Cloud Cathedral is coming off a 4-2 victory over Totino-Grace and is riding a seven-game win streak. The Crusaders are led at forward by juniors John Hirschfeld (19-43-62) and Joey Gillespie (27-23-50), as well as seniors Andrew Dwinnell (23-35-58), Landon Swenson (5-7-12) and Cole Hwang (9-13-22) provides St. Cloud Cathedral a plethora of scoring options up front.  

On defense, seniors Ben Petroske (2-3-5), Thomas Rosenkranz (2-4-6), and Vince Gebhardt (2-10-12), as well as sophomore Griffin Sturm (5-13-18) are workhorses on St. Cloud Cathedral's back end, stifling scoring chances and helping the Crusaders stay on the attack.  

Senior goaltender Nick Hansen (.929 save percentage last year) is back from injury, and the Crusaders will likely give him the start against the Moose.

Monticello is coming off a 3-0 loss to Alexandria and has won two of their last five games. The Moose are led up front by seniors Roman Thompson (29-25-54), Micah Sieben (8-7-15), and Gunnar Simon (16-38-54), as well as junior Landen Scherber (22-31-53), who will be leaned upon to carry most of Monticello's scoring. 

On defense, seniors Cam Schmitz (1-9-10) and Brody Mich (5-14-19), as well as junior Aiden Widmark (3-9-12), sophomore Levi Welle (1-8-9) and freshman Nicklas Nelson (5-17-22) give the Moose a blend of skilled puck movers and stay-at-home defenders on Monticello's back end.

Senior Owen Soderholm (.913 save percentage) has been Monticello's workhorse between the pipes this season.

Hill-Murray at Moorhead 
February 17 (5:00 PM) 

The Pioneers travel to the frozen plains of Moorhead to take on the Spuds. Both teams have had their share of struggles, but they also have the talent, quality coaching, and confidence to win their respective section in Class AA. Which team will add to its resume?  

Hill-Murray is coming off a 2-1 victory over St. Thomas Academy and has won three out of its last five games. The Pioneers are led by seniors Simon Seidl (Minnesota football commit, 6-11-17) and Lucas Mann (5-12-17), as well as juniors Jackson Reeves (9-8-17) and Boden Sampair (18-18-36) should give Hill-Murray plenty of speed and scoring from its top two lines. Sophomore Chaz Lentz (10-13-23) and, freshmen Riley Zupfer (3-15-18) and Caden Zasada (9-8-17) are names to watch for the future of this Pioneers' club.  

On defense, senior Joe Lugar (4-9-13), juniors Landon Cottingham (8-15-23) and Graham Greeder (5-12-17), as well as sophomore Casper Lang (5-5-10) help Hill-Murray dictate the pace of play and are equally adept at both ends of the ice. The Pioneers circle the wagon reasonably well on the penalty kill, shutting down 86.2% of opposing power plays.  

Senior goaltender Andrew Lane (.890 save percentage) has shouldered most of the goaltending duties for the Pioneers, but they have given opportunities to junior Jackson Johnson (.922 save percentage) too.

YHH recently interviewed Moorhead Head Coach Jon Ammerman as part of their Rink of Fire podcast. Moorhead is coming off a 5-4 overtime victory over Warroad and has won four out of their last five games. The Spuds are led at forward by juniors Mason Kraft (Minnesota State commit, 12-17-29), Brooks Cullen (11-4-15), and Carver Hasbargen (3-12-15), who are starting to heat up. Sophomore Tyden Bergeson (17-11-28) and freshman Zac Zimmerman (11-26-37) have outstanding wheels.  

Moorhead may be lean regarding overall goal scoring, but they are dangerous with the man advantage, finding the back of the net at a 29.9% rate.  

On defense, Brandon Mickelson (4-16-20), Aiden Dufault (3-7-10), Carter Huotari (0-2-2) and sophomore Zak Devig (1-7-8) are a group that has good mobility and plays with a lot of poise.  

Senior goaltender Kai Weigel (.905 save percentage) is one of the best in Class AA and can steal games.

Wayzata at Edina 
February 17 (7:00 PM) 

This is a clash of two Lake Conference clubs with considerable Section 6AA seeding ramifications on the line as Wayzata makes the trip down to Braemar Arena to take on Edina. Edina won the last time these two teams met on January 23rd (4-1). Can the Hornets earn the sweep?  

Wayzata is coming off a 3-0 victory over Eden Prairie and has won five out of their last games. The Trojans possess a very experienced group of forwards led by seniors Brittan Alstead (11-24-35), Rhys Wallin (15-20-35), Jake Mattson (16-22-38), Cade De St. Hubert (14-26-40), Brooks Gengler (12-18-30) and Luke Miller (17-16-33) that give Wayzata outstanding scoring balance through its top 3 lines. Wayzata's power play is no Trojan Horse; it has been finding the back of the net at 25.3%.

On defense, senior Hawke Huff (3-17-20), as well as juniors Carson Clark (3-18-21) and Finn De St. Hubert (Yale commit, 3-17-20) as well, as George Ericson (1-12-13) give Wayzata stability and veteran depth that few teams can match. With such a defensively responsible team in front, it is no surprise that the Trojans' penalty kill is also solid, shutting down opposing power plays at 84.5%.  

At goaltender, the Trojans have leaned on senior Evan Turek (.899 save percentage) this season.

Edina is coming off a 3-1 loss to Minnetonka after winning its previous six games. At forward, seniors Jackson Nevers (Minnesota commit, 14-18-32), John Halverson (5-16-21), Bobby Cowan (St. Thomas commit, 15-11-26), Ryan Flaherty (9-6-15) and Michael Risteau (Western Michigan commit, 10-11-21), as well as gifted sophomores Mason West (10-13-23) and Casey Vandertop (8-10-18) give Edina lots of speed, skill and scoring depth. Freshman Freddie Schneider (11-6-17) looks like a future star. YHH recently interviewed Jackson Nevers as part of their Rink of Fire podcast.  

On defense, senior Barrett Dexheimer (UMass commit, 2-12-14) as well as junior Robby Hoch (2-8-10) and talented sophomore Sam Peckham (1-12-13), give Edina a blue line that is very active and mobile, which helps the Hornets transition quickly from defense to offense. The Hornets' penalty kill has been good, stifling opposing power plays at 84.6%.

The Hornets will likely lean on senior goaltender Joe Bertram (.928 save percentage), and he has been rock-solid for Edina.