December 5
Alexandria at Northern Lakes - 7:00 PM

This battle has some definite ramifications for Section 6A seeding as the Cardinals make their way to Breezy Point Arena to take on the Mike Randolph-coached Northern Lakes Lightning. 

Congratulations to Coach Randolph on earning his record-breaking 708th victory to pass retired Rochester Mayo head coach Lorne Grosso to become the Minnesota State High School hockey all-time wins leader, as was mentioned in this episode of YHH's Rink of Fire podcast.   

Alexandria is coming off a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Sartell-St. Stephen. The Cardinals are led at forward by juniors Charlie Bassen (2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points) and Evan Klimek (2-1-3), along with sophomores William Thornburg (1-3-4), Grady Olson (1-3-4) and Ehren Anderson (1-1-2) give the Cardinals grit and scoring up front.

Senior Hudsen Carlson, junior Niklas Schultz (1-2-3), and sophomores Grady Suchy and William Draper round out the Cardinals' blueline corps on defense.  

The Cardinals have split goaltending duties between junior Brady Schluter (.897 save percentage) and senior Grady Loch (.887 save percentage) this season.

Northern Lakes is coming off a 7-3 loss to Bemidji. The Lightning are led up front by seniors Drew Paulbeck(5-8-13), Easton Anderson (2-1-3), Anthony Noyes (1-2-3)  and Jerome Martin (2-3-5), junior Jacob Peterson (7-2-9) as well as sophomore Parker Fulton (1-2-3) give Northern Lakes lots of offensive firepower. On the power play, the Lightning are finding the back of the net at a 41.7% rate.

On defense, senior Wyatt Balmer (1-5-6) and junior Leyton Cable (0-3-3) lead a young defense corps. Sophomores Grant Vershey (0-3-3), Brodie Nybakken, and Kyler Rikala are all learning to play a more prominent role for the Lightning.

At goaltender, the Lightning have split starts between sophomore Sam Suja (1 shutout) and junior Hunter Moreland (.900 save percentage) this season.

December 5
Gentry Academy at St. Cloud Cathedral - 7:00 PM

This is an intriguing Class AA team against Class A defending champion St. Cloud Cathedral as the Stars make their way to the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud. Both teams suffered setbacks over the holiday break, and no doubt will look to rebound in this tilt.  

Gentry Academy is still stinging from an 8-1 loss against Shakopee. The Stars' forward corps is led by senior Brock Fairbanks (4-3-7), sophomores Ryland Rooney (4-5-9) and Brekken Zabrok (2-2-4) along with freshman Jaxon Cook (2-2-4) give Gentry Academy two solid scoring lines. 

On defense, seniors Brody Bultinck (0-5-5), Thor Gimble (1-0-1), and Jacob Guille (0-4-4), junior Colby Macoskey (0-1-1), as well as sophomores Layton Betzold (1-0-1) and Austin Novotny are a well-rounded group that is active at either end of the ice.  

At goaltender, the Stars have split starts between senior Wyatt Sander (2.14 goals against average) and junior Gavin Grose (.840 save percentage) this season. 

St. Cloud Cathedral is coming off a 6-3 loss to Hibbing/Chisholm. The Crusaders are led by the senior duo of John Hirschfeld (Vermont commit, 1-2-3) and Joey Gillespie (1-1-2), as well as Jaeger Wood (0-2-2), who give the Crusaders one of the most explosive trios in Class A.  

Junior Griffin Sturm (1-0-1) anchors St. Cloud Cathedral's defense.

Junior Keaton Legrande (.848 save percentage) has started in every game for the Crusaders this season.

December 6
Roseau at Grand Rapids - 6:00 PM

The Rams make the trek across the 218 to face the Thunderhawks of Grand Rapids in his high-profile Class AA match-up.  

The Rams are coming off a 2-1 victory over Brainerd. Roseau is led at forward by seniors Cade Ginther (2-2-4), Tucker Kvien (3-1-4), Isaac Baumgartner (1-3-4), Chase Bachleitner (0-3-3), and Jake Halvorson (4-0-4) and junior Jude Wittrock (1-3-4) lead the way offensively for the Rams. Sophomores Abram Waage (1-2-3) and Tyler George (1-2-3) are also chipping in points.

On defense, seniors Eli Wensloff (0-4-4) and Austin Klint (1-1-2), juniors Beck Hammer (1-0-1), and Liam Johnsonare the workhorses on the Rams' back end. Sophomore Taden Peterson (0-2-2) is showing more confidence with each game.

Roseau's penalty kill has been solid, killing opposing power plays at a 91.7% rate.

Senior Abram Hinson (.874 save percentage) has made every start for Roseau this season at goaltender.

The Thunderhawks are feeling confident after a 6-2 victory over Proctor. Grand Rapids is led up front by juniors Nate Garski (2-5-7), Seth Carlson (1-2-3), and Jameson Duell (4-4-8), sophomore Ander Rajala (4-3-7) provide most of the scoring punch for the Thunderhawks.

On defense, senior Luka Rohloff (2-3-5), juniors Owen Simons (0-2-2), Colton Stupar and Alexander Salisbury (0-1-1), sophomore Luke Palecek (2-2-4) are a defense corps that moves the puck well and plays the game with confidence.

Junior Carter Casey (2.64 goals against average) and senior Ryder Miskovich (.920 save percentage) give the Thunderhawks two solid options at goaltender.

December 7
Waseca at Luverne - 3:45 PM

The battle for Big South Conference supremacy begins as the Jays travel to Luverne for the first of two regular-season games this season. Last year, the Cardinals swept the two-game series. 

Waseca is coming off a dramatic 7-6 road victory over Mound-Westonka. The Jays are led at forward by senior Brayden Hesch-Priem (4-2-6) and Hunter Anderson (2-6-8), along with junior Jude Gehring (1-2-3) and a talented trio of sophomores Griffin Storey (3-6-9), Otto Schoenrock (4-1-5), Henry Huttemeier (4-4-8) give Waseca good scoring balance through its top two lines. 

On defense, seniors Jackson Tesch (1-0-1), Easton Danks, and Lucas Groll (2-1-3), junior Jackson Dahl (1-2-3), along with sophomores Beckett Srp (2-2-4) and Trey Jenzen (0-1-1) makeup Waseca's blueline and they like to be active at both ends of the ice. 

At goaltender, Waseca has rotated between senior Carter Martens (1 shutout) and sophomore Josiah Schmidtke (.800 save percentage) this season.

Luverne is still undefeated after a 4-2 victory over Marshall. The Cardinals are led up front by seniors Marcus Vorthems (1-1-2) and Alex Schlosser (1-2-3), juniors Maddux Domagala (5-3-8) and Landyn Lais (3-8-11) like to play a high-tempo game. Sophomore Colton Haubrich (2-1-3) looks like he could be another breakout player for the Cardinals this season. 

On defense, seniors Blaik Bork (4-7-11) and Layke Miller (0-2-2), junior Jaxon Lais (1-3-4), sophomores Ben Hartquist (2-3-5) and Maddox Miller (0-1-1) are a group that likes to join the rush.

At goaltender, the Cardinals have split starts between juniors Xander Remme (.920 save percentage) and Gavin Hoven (.938 save percentage) this season.

December 7
Edina at Benilde-St. Margaret's - 7:00 PM

This game has some significant seeding ramifications in Section 6AA. Edina ended the Red Knights' season last year in the Section 6AA semifinals. 

Edina feels good after an 8-3 victory over Chanhassen in a 2024 Class AA championship rematch. The Hornets are led up front by juniors Tucker Johnson (4-0-4), Casey Vandertop (St. Thomas commit, 1-5-6), Mason West (4-1-5), Alex White (1-3-4), along with talented sophomore Freddie Schneider (0-3-3) the Hornets can beat you with speed and skill or with greasy goals near the crease.

On defense, senior Robbie Hoch (1-0-1), juniors Sam Peckham (Cornell commit, 0-4-4), and Brady Mullmann (0-3-3) are a defense corps that is physical but is very efficient at breaking out of their own zone.  

At goaltender, the Hornets have rotated between juniors Wyatt Spindler (.857 save percentage) and Chase Bjorgaard (1.50 goals against average) this season.

Benilde-St. Margaret's is coming off a 3-1 victory over Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper. The Red Knights are led at forward by seniors Junior Poedin, Cam Kirschner (1-3-4), and AJ Ulrich (1-0-1), as well as junior Keegan Davis (3-1-4), who lead the way offensively for Benilde-St. Margaret's. 

On defense, seniors Carter Callan (0-1-1) and Peyton Mulheran (0-1-1), juniors Mason Minor and Nick Johnson (0-1-1) along with sophomores Ben Palmer and Cade Callan use their mobility to take away time and space in their own zone.

At goaltender, junior Christopher Dean (.980 save percentage) has started in every game for the Red Knights this season.