December 26
Lakeville South vs. Rogers - 12:30 PM

The Cougars and Royals make their way to the Plymouth Ice Center as part of the Premier Holiday Classic. Last year, the two teams faced one another in this same tournament, with the Cougars coming away with a 5-2 victory. Will history repeat itself?

The Cougars are coming off a 3-1 victory over Eastview. Lakeville South is led up front by seniors Oscar Balkins (2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points), Jackson Ernst (3-4-7), Will Kortan (2-5-7), Brayden Olsen (3-4-7) and Jack Starfield (1-3-4) as well as junior Carter Ernst (7-2-9) set the pace offensively for the Cougars. 

On defense, senior Luke Johnson (1-1-2), juniors Gavin Lafferty (0-5-5), Adam Moline (1-1-2), and Emmett Hartmann (0-2-2), sophomore Charlie Hunst (2-1-3) round out Lakeville South's blueline which plays a safe, structured style of game.

The Cougars' penalty kill doesn't give up much, stifling opposing power plays at 90.9%.

At goaltender, senior Carson Hauger (.863 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending duties this season for the Cougars, but they have utilized senior Logan Klaren (1 shutout) as well.

Rogers is coming off a 3-3 tie to Rock Ridge. Rogers is led up front by a trio of seniors in Parker Deschene (Lindenwood commit, 7-29-36), Mason Jenson (Ohio State commit, 18-16-34), and Keaton Weis (13-7-20), who lead the way offensively for the Royals. Juniors Brock Cheslock (5-13-18) and Avenir Belous (3-5-8) are starting to heat up.  

The Royals power play is lighting the lamp at 38.9%.

On defense, seniors Nolen Geerdes (Western Michigan commit, 2-18-20), 6'5" Jackson Smithknecht (Colorado College commit, 1-2-3), and Brady Sorrentino (2-2-4) lead a deep Rogers defense corps. Juniors Jayden Kurtz (2-3-5) and Matthew Hauser (3-5-8) are an underrated second pairing that gives the Royals quality depth on its blueline. Sophomore Blake Sinclair (0-1-1) has a lot of potential.  

Senior Wyatt Knott (1.97 goals against average) has made every start this season for the Royals at goaltender.

December 26
Moorhead vs. Edina - 7:15 PM

The Spuds earned a 4-1 victory over the Hornets back on November 23rd as part of the Turkey Trot Tourney at Braemar. Will Moorhead be able to repeat the feat as the two teams face each other again at the Tradition Holiday Invitational hosted by Youth Hockey Hub at Dakotah! Ice Center in Prior Lake?

Moorhead is coming off a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Warroad. The Spuds are led at forward by seniors Mason Kraft (11-18-29), Carver Hasbargen (6-7-13), and Brooks Cullen (Michigan State commit, 5-6-11), as well as talented sophomore Zac Zimmerman (10-15-25) and junior Tyden Bergeson (5-8-13) who provide most of the firepower for Moorhead offensively. Sophomore Max Cullen (6-5-11) is gaining more confidence with each game.

The Spuds' power play is dangerous, finding the back of the net at 34.8%.

On defense, seniors Aiden Dufault (0-4-4) and Carter Huotari (0-2-2), as well as juniors Brandon Mickelson (4-11-15), Brady Steffen (0-4-4) and Zak Devig (0-4-4) along with Drew Simonich (1-5-6) play an intelligent game and move the puck efficiently around the offensive zone with precise passes has become a signature of Moorhead hockey. 

Senior goaltender Charlie Stenehjem (2.04 goals against average) has made every start for the Spuds this season.  

Edina is coming off a 5-0 victory over Eden Prairie. The Hornets are led up front by juniors Mason West (10-4-14), Casey Vandertop (St. Thomas commit, 1-8-9), Tucker Johnson (5-3-8), Alex White (5-6-11) and Caleb Pittsley (7-3-10) along with talented sophomore Freddie Schneider (4-9-13) the Hornets can beat you with speed and skill or with greasy goals near the crease.

Edina's power play is potent, scoring at 40.9%.

On defense, seniors Robby Hoch (1-2-3) and Charlie Velner (0-2-2), juniors Sam Peckham (Cornell commit, 1-5-6) and Brady Mullmann (0-3-3), along with freshman Becker Wenkus (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 Chase Bjorgaard (1.64 goals against average) and Wyatt Spindler (1.15 goals against average) this season.

December 27
Luverne vs. Monticello - 11:30 AM

The Cardinals and Moose face off against one another at the Granite City Showcase at St. Cloud's Municipal Athletic Complex in a great Class A contest.

Luverne is coming off a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Dodge County. The Cardinals are led up front by senior Alex Schlosser (3-7-10), juniors Maddux Domagala (17-13-30), Blake Sauer (8-2-10), and Landyn Lais (7-20-27) play a high-tempo game.

The Cardinals' power play is dangerous, finding the back of the net at a 36.4% rate. 

On defense, seniors Blaik Bork (4-10-14) and Layke Miller (1-4-5), junior Jaxon Lais (5-11-16), sophomores Ben Hartquist (6-12-18) and Maddox Miller (0-2-2) are a group that likes to join the rush in their 'all gas, no brakes' approach.

The Cardinals' penalty kill has not surrendered a power play goal this season.

At goaltender, junior Gavin Hoven (1.72 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for Luverne this season, but they have given opportunities to fellow junior Xander Remme (1.71 goals against average) as well.

Monticello is coming off a 13-2 rout of Northern Edge. Monticello is led at forward by seniors Landon Scherber (13-13-26) and Nathan Poeppel (9-7-16) as well as junior Ashton Stoll (5-14-19), who they hope can carry most of the scoring for the Moose.

Monticello's power play is strong, scoring at a 37.5% success rate. 

On defense, seniors Ezra Pemberton (1-4-5) and Aidan Widmark (2-10-12), juniors Brady McGriff (1-3-4) and Levi Welle (3-3-6), as well as dynamic sophomore Nicklas Nelson (7-14-21) limit scoring chances and help keep the Moose on the attack.  

The Monticello penalty kill is pretty good, shutting down opposing power plays at 94.4%.

At goaltender, senior Logan Blahnik (1.57 goals against average) has made nearly every start for the Moose this season.  

December 27
Delano vs. Rock Ridge - 6:00 PM

The Tigers travel up to the 218 to face off against Rock Ridge at the historic Hippodrome in Eveleth. 

Delano is coming off a 3-1 loss to St. Cloud Cathedral. The Tigers are led at forward by seniors Mason Hargarten (6-9-15), Bryce Peterson (8-4-12) and Joseph McCabe (Lawrence commit for lacrosse, 2-7-9), juniors Brady Kangas (3-2-5), Brody Geislinger (3-2-5) and Daniel Halonen (4-8-12) give Delano good scoring balance. Freshman Lance Halonen(4-7-11) is playing with more confidence each game.

On defense, seniors Markus Kangas (5-5-10), Eddie Lins (0-1-1), and Aaron Halonen (0-2-2), along with juniors Connor Oja (0-3-3) and Luke Robertson, are a group that has experience and plays a steady, stay-at-home game. Freshman Jackson Wollak (0-3-3) is showing improvement each game.  

At goaltender, 6'3" junior Evan Geyen (.886 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending duties for the Tigers this season, but they have given opportunities to sophomore Lincoln Truax (.905 save percentage) and junior Aidan Janiga (.915 save percentage) as well.  

Rock Ridge is coming off a 3-3 tie to Rogers. Rock Ridge is led up front by seniors Grady Dimberio (12-8-20) and Levi Flatley (1-5-6), as well as juniors Caz Carlson (9-12-21) and Colton Bialke (3-9-12) give the Wolverines scoring and experience up front. Freshman Jackson Bartovich (6-6-12) has shown a lot of promise.

On defense, seniors Aidan Rabideaux (1-2-3), Easton Walters (1-2-3), Derik Dahl (0-3-3), and Carson Mast  (0-1-1) bring a mix of size and puck-moving ability to the Wolverines' blue line.  

Between the pipes, Rock Ridge has rotated between senior Steven Ranisate (.860 save percentage) and junior Ryan Jonassen (.913 save percentage) this season.

December 28
Detroit Lakes at Northfield - 2:00 PM

The Lakers travel down to the 507 to battle Northfield in an intriguing Class A battle.

Detroit Lakes is coming off a 7-0 rout of Willmar. The Lakers are led at forward by seniors Easton Wahl (4-4-8), Brock Bender (4-3-7) and Thomas Suckert (4-5-9), juniors William Cymbaluk (3-7-10), Carter Whitworth(7-2-9) and Easton Kennedy (2-7-9) as well as sophomore Mason Deraney (5-4-9) give Detroit Lakes solid scoring depth. 

The Lakers' power play is dangerous, finding the back of the net at a 31.8% rate.

On defense, seniors Jace Fields (1-7-8) and Luke Helm (0-1-1), junior Hudson Petit (1-6-7), and sophomore Max DuCharme keep it simple and work pucks to Detroit Lakes' forwards to keep them on the attack.

At goaltender, sophomore Griffin Lindberg (1.96 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for the Lakers this season, but they have utilized fellow sophomore Noah Germain (1 shutout) as well.

Northfield is coming off a 4-2 loss to Lakeville North. The Raiders' attack is led by seniors Will Cashin (12-11-23) and Griffin Kennelly (9-7-16), along with junior Michael Steward (7-12-19), carry most of the scoring up front.  

The Raiders' power play has been scorching opponents at a 36.1% rate this season.

On defense, seniors Joe Fogarty (1-2-3) and Jake Faust (0-3-3), along with juniors Bridger Riley (0-13-13), Carter Simon and Ashton Pumper (0-2-2) and talented sophomore Ben Geiger (5-14-19) are a blend of skill, grit and experience.  

Senior goaltender Max Frank (2.90 goals against average) has carried most of the workload for the Raiders this season, but they have given opportunities to junior Gavin Winter (1 shutout) as well.