December 26
Mankato East vs. Luverne - 4:00 PM

The Cougars and Cardinals make their trip to the 763 to face off against one at Blaine's National Sports Center as part of the Super Rink Winter Classic (Gold Division). 

Mankato East is coming off a 10-0 loss to Northfield. The Cougars are led at forward by junior Brielle Newton (17 goals, 12 assists, 29 points), sophomores Alexis Erickson (14-24-38), Reagan Steindl (5-11-16) and Grace Cambell (6-7-13), as well as freshmen Ella Fugazi (14-12-26) and Laina Peterson (14-15-29) drive Mankato East's high-powered attack.

On defense, senior Sydney Wang leads a young defense corps of sophomores Emerson Asher (1-4-5), Madelyn Scheel (2-0-2), Makenzie Juliar (0-2-2), and Kira Prange (2-6-8) that keeps it simple at both ends of the ice.

Senior Jordan Thomas (2.84 goals against average) has made every start for Mankato East this season at goaltender.

Luverne is coming off a 4-2 victory over Willmar. Luverne is led at forward by senior Payton Behr (15-7-22), juniors Ella Apel (9-10-19) and Greta McClure (8-6-14), sophomore Izzy Steensma (7-15-22) and freshman Ellie Van Batavia (14-14-28) give the Cardinals good scoring balance through its top two lines. 

Sophomores Tenley Behr (9-11-20), Macie Edstrom (2-4-6), Rylee Kurtz (2-12-14), and Kassidy Saarloos (0-4-4) lead Luverne's defense. 8th-grader Tenlee Pick (1-4-5) is showing more confidence in each game.

At goaltender, junior Emma Saarloos (1.98 goals against average) has started in every game for the Cardinals this season.

December 26
Grand Rapids/Greenway vs. Roseau - 5:45 PM

These two teams from the 218 travel down to Eden Prairie to participate in the Mid-Winter Meltdown. Which team in green will reign supreme?

Grand Rapids/Greenway is coming off a 6-5 victory over Duluth. At forward, the Lightning lean on seniors Mercury Bischoff (Minnesota State commit, 28-14-42), Mira Rajala (2-9-11), and Abby Skelly (4-11-15), but Grand Rapids/Greenway has other scoring options in its arsenal. Sophomore Opal Anderson (7-5-12) and 8th-grader Kate Carlson (5-17-22) continue to show steady improvement. 

On defense, seniors Maisie Bader (0-1-1) and Nina Hofstad (0-1-1), along with junior Haylie Forrest (4-4-8), sophomores Sophie Carlson (1-7-8) and Emma Muller (0-4-4), will be tasked with trying to limit Roseau's scoring chances.  

At goaltender, junior Claire Tobeck (.846 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending duties this season for the Lightning, but they have given sophomore Teagan Christy (.887 save percentage) some opportunities this season.   

Roseau is coming off a 6-2 victory over Bemidji. At forward, the Rams return with star senior Payton Remick (St. Cloud State commit, 14-13-27) and Lily Erickson (10-10-20), as well as junior Jasmine Hovda (8-18-26) and gifted sophomores Ella Ketring (6-7-13) and Greta Hedlund (4-3-7) give Roseau plenty of scoring punch.  

On defense, seniors Summer Byfuglien (1-6-7), Kylie Bjerk (0-3-3), Addy Johnson (0-3-3) and Jerrett Tietz (4-1-5) are experienced and can stymie opponents as well as chip in offensively. Sophomore Amelia Kvien (0-6-6) is improving with each game.  

At goaltender, the Rams have leaned on sophomore Madi Lisell (.915 save percentage) for most of their starts this season, but they have given opportunities to fellow sophomore Cheyenne Crist (1.49 goals against average) this season as well.

December 27
North Shore vs. Minnesota River - 1:30 PM

The Storm and the Bulldogs make their way to the National Sports Center in Blaine as part of the Super Rink Classic, playing in the Gold Division in this interesting North versus South Class A tilt.  

North Shore is coming off a 3-0 victory over Northern Lakes. They are led at forward by senior Nina Thorson (10-16-26) and sophomores Berkley Hoff (13-10-23), Reese Costley (5-7-12), Reagon Hogenson (5-8-13), and Hayden Bright (5-10-15) carry most of the scoring for the Storm who are averaging a little under 4 goals per game.

Senior Addison Bentler (0-2-2), junior Sarah Stauber (3-17-20), sophomores Stella Lapointe (0-3-3), Ashlyn Cavillin (0-2-2) and Guilia McGiffert (0-4-4) form the core of the Storm's defense and will try to limit Minnesota River's scoring chances.

At goaltender, senior Alexa Harrison (1.88 goals against average) has carried most of the workload this season for the Storm, but they have utilized freshman Emmy Bentler (.875 save percentage) this season.

Minnesota River is coming off a 1-1 tie to Marshall. The Bulldogs are led at forward by juniors Macey Portner (10-10-20) and Cristina Cruz (4-3-7), sophomores Noelle Simonette (10-11-21) and McKenna Andresen (8-9-17) as well as freshman Mara Von Bank (7-2-9) carry most of the scoring for Minnesota River.

On defense, juniors Claire Hathaway (3-3-6), Shaylan Dunphy, and Kaylee Gogerty (2-5-7), freshmen Maren Swenson (1-5-6) and Kelcie Weydert (0-3-3) as well as 8th-grader Sophie Tews (1-1-2) play responsibly in Minnesota River's end of the ice which is a big reason why they only give up less than a goal per game.

Minnesota River's penalty kill doesn't give up much either, killing opposing power plays at a 96.7% rate.

At goaltender, junior Annika Magelee (.957 save percentage) has started in every game this season for the Bulldogs.  

December 27
Albert Lea at Warroad - 3:00 PM

The Tigers make the seven-plus hour trip north to face the Warriors at Warroad Gardens Arena for this intriguing north versus south Class A tilt. 

Albert Lea is coming off a 2-2 tie to Northfield. At forward, Albert Lea is led by sophomore Morgan Goskeson (8-6-14), junior Hanna Austinson (10-9-19) seniors Shelby Evans (4-9-13) and Aryah Hansen (3-5-8), as well as freshman Haley Austinson (8-8-16) carry most of the scoring up front. The Tigers' offense is averaging just under 6 goals per game. 

A big reason for their offensive totals is how much production they get from their defense. On defense, seniors Mika Cichosz (Minnesota State commit, 19-12-31) and Olivia Ellsworth (2-4-6), along with juniors Keira Erickson (3-6-9) and Calleigh Noble (2-2-4) like to join the attack. Sophomore Sydney Kolker (2-1-3) looks like another impressive young defender for Albert Lea.  

The Tigers are one of the more penalized teams in girls' HS hockey, but fortunately for them, their penalty kill is pretty good, as they have killed opposing power plays at a 94.9% rate. Still, they would be wise to stay out of the box against Warroad.

Senior goaltender Jayda Moyer (.963 save percentage) has made every start this season for the Tigers.

Warroad is coming off a 4-3 loss to Moorhead. The Warriors are led up front by senior Kaiya Sandy (5-7-12), junior Taylor Reese (10-6-16), and Sam Earhart (4-6-10), as well as sophomore Jaylie French (9-8-17), giving the Warriors plenty of scoring punch. Sophomore Karlee Kalbrener (2-6-8) and Lindsey Lorenson (1-3-4), as well as 8th-grader Olivia Anthony (3-5-8) bring a lot of potential.  

At defense, senior Katy Comstock (Bemidji State commit, 4-10-14) leads an experienced group of juniors in Vivienne Marcowka (2-5-7), Kate Johnson (0-1-1), and Reagan Haley (1-4-5) who are battle-tested by one of the most challenging schedules in the state. 

The Warriors' penalty kill is pretty good, killing opposing power plays at a 96% rate.

At goaltender, junior Payton Rolli (1.85 goals against average) has made every start this season for the Warriors.  

December 28
Forest Lake at Brainerd/Little Falls - 1:00 PM

The Rangers travel to the 218 to take on the Warriors in an interesting Class AA battle at Brainerd's Essentia Sports Center.

Forest Lake is coming off a 3-0 loss to Blaine. The Rangers are led at forward by seniors Rylen Kissel (Bethel commit, 7-6-13) and Madelyn Kemplin (5-1-6), junior Abigail Sklavenitis (7-7-14), as well as freshman Olivia Roberts (1-4-5) and 8th-grader Hannah Rychley (6-6-12) provide most of the scoring punch for Forest Lake.

On defense, seniors Maren Wallinga (1-3-4), Julia Williams (1-1-2), junior Leyna Halvorson (0-5-5), sophomores Lilly Halweg (0-2-2) and Alexis Thompson (1-0-1) keep it simple in their own zone, denying passing and shooting lanes.

Junior Taylor Thompson (1.87 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties this season for Forest Lake, but fellow junior Kiera Peek (1.33 goals against average) has had some opportunities as well.

Brainerd/Little Falls is coming off an 8-1 loss to Moorhead. The Warriors are led at forward by seniors Brianna Finnegan (4-4-8), Jaelyn Wharton (3-5-8), Kate Boberg (3-3-6), and Brynn Thoma (3-4-7) lead a modest offense that averages a little over two goals per game. 

On defense, seniors Aubree Caauwe (1-6-7) and Aizlynn Ford (1-4-5), junior Emma Neuwirth along with freshman Izzy Johnson (0-1-1), lock down play in their own zone by denying the middle of the ice.  

At goaltender, senior Ericah Folden (Bowdoin commit, 1.70 goals against average) is one of the best in the state.