November 14
Andover at Minnetonka - 7:00 PM

This should be another great metro showdown as Andover travels to Pagel Ice Arena to face the Skippers.  

They may not be in the same conference, but the healthy rivalry has plenty of intensity between these two teams. 

Seniors Maya Engler (St. Thomas commit) and Hannah Christenson (Northeastern commit) lead the way for a confident Huskies forward group.  Along with fellow seniors Ella Thoreson and Amelia McQuay, the quartet gives Andover plenty of capable offensive production and experience up front.   

On defense, seniors Mackenzie Jones (Wisconsin commit) and Courtney Little (St. Thomas commit) are among the best tandems in the state and will be tasked with shutting down Minnetonka offensively.  Junior Samantha Angellotti will face her greatest test of the season thus far.  

Junior goaltender Clairebella Hills shutout Academy of Holy Angels in Huskies' season opener gives Andover plenty of confidence.  

Minnetonka prevailed over Andover, 5-3, in the Class AA State Tournament's third-place game last season. Can the Skippers notch another victory over the Huskies?  

The Skippers lost a lot of talent from last year's squad, including Lindzi Avar (Cornell), Kendra Distad (Minnesota), and Lauren Goldsworthy (Minnesota State), due to graduation, but they still return a formidable roster.  

At forward, the Skippers are led by seniors Lauren Mack (Providence commit), Senja Leeper (Bemidji State commit), Ruby Rauk (Quinnipiac commit) and Ellie Zakrajsheck (Minnesota-Duluth commit).  Throw junior Allison Ryan and talented freshman Sydney Boss Krohn into the mix, and the Skippers have plenty of scoring depth.

On defense, seniors Bella Finnegan (Harvard commit), Grace Larson, and Claire Christopherson anchor Minnetonka's blueline.  Sophomore Jemma McAlexander will play an expanded role this season.  

At goaltender, the Skippers return with seniors Ashlyn Hazlett (Bemidji State commit, seven shutouts last season) and Layla Hemp (Minnesota commit, five shutouts last season), giving Minnetonka perhaps the best tandem in the state.  

November 14
River Lakes at Alexandria - 7:00 PM

This is a Central Lakes Conference showdown as River Lakes travels to Runestone Arena to take on Alexandria, a team that swept the Stars during the 2023-2024 regular season. Can River Lakes turn the tables on Alexandria this season?  

River Lakes is led at forward by seniors Sophia Hess and Ayla McLellan, plus junior Abby Storms helps carry the Stars offensively.  Sophomore Sophie Olson is primed for a breakout year, and eighth-grader Peyton Roeske is another young talent to watch for.  

At defense, seniors Dalayne Hattlestad and Makayla Schrieber-Horn will be tasked with slowing down the Cardinals' attack.  Don't be surprised to see Abby Storms playing defense, as she played both positions last season for the Stars.  

At goaltender, River Lakes returns with seniors Kaydence Roeske (Minnesota State commit, five shutouts last season) and Natalie Kayser.  

The Cardinals hope to improve on their Section quarterfinal loss from a year ago, and can they get out to a good start in the conference with a win over River Lakes?  

Scoring was a challenge last season for Alexandria, but the Cardinals do return leading scorer Kennedy Ellingson and as well as fellow seniors Julie Doherty and Cadence Ellingson, along with juniors Jersey Severson and Lillian Dutton who will shoulder most of the scoring load for the Cardinals.  

On defense, senior Emma Ramstorf and Lauren Hornstein will be leaned on heavily by the Cardinals for their skill and experience.  

Senior Rachael Mohr (three shutouts last season) will likely have starting duties this season at goaltender.   

November 15
Eden Prairie at Grand Rapids/Greenway - 7:00 PM

Eden Prairie makes the rare trip north to Grand Rapids to face the Grand Rapids/Greenway Lightning at Yanmar. Will the Eagles find a way to win, or will they face a long ride home after a loss?  

The Eagles are led at forward by seniors Addy Mitchell and Lauren Pottinger, plus juniors Sarah David and Kate Petrie shoulder most of the scoring for Eden Prairie.  Eighth-grader Ava Moe is a young player with a lot of skill and potential.  

Seniors Natalie McNeil (Sacred Heart commit) and Ella Konrad lead a young group on defense.  Sophomore Ella Pinnow brings some scoring to the Eagles' blue line as she had eight goals last season as a freshman.  

Junior Rylee Lorton (two shutouts last season) returns in goal for the Eagles.

Grand Rapids/Greenway lost in the Section 7AA championship to Andover, and the Lightning are on a mission to try to punch their ticket to St. Paul this spring. 

At forward, the Lightning lean on star senior Mercury Bischoff (Minnesota State commit), but Grand Rapids/Greenway has other scoring options in its arsenal.  Senior Mira Rajala, junior Kylie DeBay, and sophomore Opal Anderson are poised to step into more prominent roles offensively.  

On defense, senior Maisie Bader, along with sophomores Sophie Carlson and Emma Muller, will log a lot of minutes for Grand Rapids/Greenway.  

At goaltender, the Lightning will continue to rotate between junior Claire Tobeck and sophomore Teagan Christy.   

November 16
Holy Family at Roseau - 1:00 PM

Holy Family makes the trip up to the 218 to face Roseau in the Rams' historic barn, which will be a great indicator of what to expect from both clubs.

The Fire lost in the Section 2AA final last year to Minnetonka and hope to challenge for a spot in the Tourney again this season.  

Holy Family is led at forward by star senior Josie Linn (New Hampshire commit), juniors Ella Nonweilerand Addy Cowan and sophomore Ella Sharkey provide most of the scoring for the Fire.  

On defense, seniors Maielle Schugel and Casey Cronin along with juniors Katya Sander (Minnesota commit) and Lilly DeFauw, will be tasked with slowing down the Rams' attack. 

At goaltender, junior Kayla Swartout (four shutouts last season) returns to the Fire crease.  

Roseau lost in the Class AA consolation final to Maple Grove last year, and this year's squad might be even better.  

At forward, the Rams return star senior Payton Remick (St. Cloud State commit), fellow senior Lily Erickson, junior Jasmine Hovda, and gifted sophomore Ella Ketring. 

On defense, seniors Summer Byfuglien, Kylie Bjerk, and Jerrett Tietz are experienced and can stymie opponents as well as chip in offensively.  Sophomore Amelia Kvien is ready to play a bigger role.  

At goaltender, sophomore Madi Lisell is the anchor for the Rams.

November 16
Benilde-St. Margaret's at Orono - 3:00 PM

This is an intriguing clash of two west metro area rivals as the Red Knights, one of the top-10 teams in Class AA, make their way to Orono to take on one of the top teams in Class A. Last season, these two teams skated to a 1-1 tie. Will we see that happen again, or will one of the teams earn a victory?

The Red Knights forward group is led by senior Kendall Hassler (Minnesota State commit), junior Grace Bendickson, and sophomores Talla Hansen and Brynn Heising give Benilde-St. Margaret's plenty of skill and scoring depth. 

On defense, seniors Lulu Rucinski (Maine commit), Addie Morris (Bemidji State commit), Ella Pasqua (Quinnipiac commit), and Bailey Gray (Delaware commit) make up one of the most experienced groups in the state.   

Senior Elie Hancock already has a shutout in goal this season in Benilde-St. Margaret's 9-0 win over Minneapolis.  

The Spartans are coming off a confidence-building 5-2 victory over Eden Prairie, and they will not be intimidated by the Red Knights.  

At forward, senior Zoe Lopez (Minnesota State commit) and Macy Rasmussen (Ohio State commit), along with junior Maddy Kimbrel (Wisconsin commit), give Orono the kind of star-caliber depth you would expect to see from a top-tier Class AA team, let alone one competing in Class A.  Sophomores Lucy Rauk and Alex Christian are both on the cusp of a breakout season.  Freshman Gabi Lopez is another young star on the rise.  

On defense, senior Alex Paulsen anchors a young defense who plays a lot bigger than her 5'0" frame.  Converted right wing Anika Fortin brings mobility to Orono's defense.  Sophomores Sydney Anderson and Ryan Regan are stepping into a bigger role.  

At goaltender, the Spartans will likely roll with sophomore Viv Anderson as the starter and look to senior Maddie Forsyth for a quality backup.