January 9
Bemidji at Moorhead - 6:00 PM

The Lumberjacks make the trip west to Moorhead to face the Spuds in what might be a preview of the Section 8AA championship game. 

Bemidji is coming off a 5-1 loss to Warroad. The Lumberjacks are led at forward by star sophomore Bailey Rupp (24 goals, 15 assists, 39 points), junior Megan Berg (9-12-21), as well as sophomore Emma Greiner (4-8-12) and freshmen Naomi Johnson (8-8-16) and Ava Corrington (4-9-13), give Bemidji solid scoring depth. 

Bemidji's power play is finding the back of the net at a 34.5% rate.

On defense, sophomore Millie Knott (8-20-28) likes to join the attack and is an adept puck mover. Seniors Jadyn Prokop, junior Taylor Bjerke (1-2-3), sophomore Mali McLean (1-6-7), and freshman Jacinda Lossing (0-4-4) have had their share of tough tests this season.   

At goaltender, senior Ava Myhre (.862 save percentage) has made every start this season for the Lumberjacks.

Moorhead is feeling the momentum of a 4-game win streak and coming off a 7-2 rout of Northfield. The Spuds are led up front by seniors Olivia Kortan (14-16-30), Addie Salvevold (4-7-11), and Addie Moos (7-5-12) as well as junior Haylee Melquist (14-12-26) along with sophomores Anna Bjorkman (8-12-20) and Shay Benson (12-7-19) carry the majority of the scoring for the Moorhead.

On defense, the Spuds are led by seniors Anika Stromme (2-7-9), Kendall Lund (0-1-1), and Kellsey Kludt (2-12-14) as well as junior Lucey Wilson (2-16-18) play with confidence and are all positionally sound.  

At goaltender, senior Taylor Kressin (1.72 goals against average) has carried most of the workload this season, but they have utilized fellow senior Alison Moszer (two shutouts) as well.

January 9
Centennial/Spring Lake Park at Blake - 7:00 PM

Centennial/Spring Lake Park makes the trip south to face the Blake School Bears at Drake Arena in an intriguing clash of top-level teams in Class A and Class AA.

Centennial/Spring Lake Park is coming off a 4-2 loss to Holy Angels. At forward, they look to seniors Teagan Kulenkamp (St. Thomas commit, 16-12-28) and Alexis Larson (5-9-14), junior Ella Perreault (8-6-14), sophomore Grace Laager (8-19-27) and Maddie Wolter (2-8-10) as well as freshman Mia Sutch (10-9-19) give Centennial/Spring Lake Park plenty of skill and scoring depth up front.  

On defense, juniors Katie Ball (3-13-16) and Melanie Reff (1-1-2), sophomores Brooke Ueland (1-2-3) and Erica Maida (2-4-6), along with freshman Annabelle Buccicone (6-2-8) are quality two-way defenders who contribute at both ends of the ice.  

Sophomore Kaia Weiland (1.41 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for Centennial/Spring Lake Park.

Blake is coming off a 2-1 victory over Breck. The Blake School is led up front by juniors Ella Bond (3-7-10), Mak Williams (6-2-8), and Hannah Jones (4-2-6), along with sophomores Callie Arthur (4-8-12) and Leila Dalum (4-4-8) as well as freshman Bryn Heinmiller (2-7-9) spread out the scoring for the Bears. 

On defense, talented sophomore Addie Wethington (7-6-12) is the star of a young Blake blueline. Senior Malika Chebalco (0-5-5), juniors Izzy Duncan (0-1-1) and Bella Bisbee (1-1-2) along with 8th-graders Kathryn Kyle (0-1-1) and Reese Palmstein (0-1-1) round out the rest of the Bears' defense who will no doubt be tested against this Centennial/Spring Lake Park attack. 

The Bears' penalty kill has been solid, shutting down opposing power plays at a 93.9% rate.

Junior goaltender Janie McGawn (1.19 goals against average) has made every start this season for Blake.

January 10
Benilde-St. Margaret's at Holy Family - 7:00 PM

The Red Knights make their way to the Victoria Recreation Center to battle the Fire of Holy Family in this west-metro clash of private schools. 

Benilde-St. Margaret's is coming off a 4-1 victory over Holy Angels. The Red Knights forward group is led by seniors Kendall Hassler (Minnesota State commit, 13-9-22) along with a trio of talented sophomores in Talla Hansen (12-14-26), Katie Zakrajsheck (7-15-22) and Brynn Heising (5-5-10) provide Benilde-St. Margaret's plenty of firepower. 

On defense, seniors Lulu Rucinski (Maine commit, 9-13-22), Addie Morris (Bemidji State commit, 4-4-8), Ella Pasqua (Quinnipiac commit, 3-5-8) and Bailey Gray (Delaware commit, 3-6-9) give Benilde-St. Margaret's a top four that few teams can match.   

At goaltender, senior Elie Hancock (1.42 goals against save average) has started the majority of games for the Red Knights, but they have utilized sophomore Emma Matack (.959 save percentage) this season.

Holy Family is coming off a 5-2 victory over Rosemount. Holy Family is led at forward by star senior Josie Linn (New Hampshire commit, 15-11-26), juniors Ella Nonweiler (10-14-24), Chloe King (2-10-12) and Addy Cowan (Dartmouth commit, 9-16-25) and freshman Allie DeFauw (5-6-11) give the Fire capable scoring punch.

On defense, seniors Casey Cronin (1-12-13) and Maielle Schugel (0-1-1), along with juniors Katya Sander (Minnesota commit, 6-10-16) and Lilly DeFauw (2-5-7), are experienced, versatile and capable of contributing at either end of the ice.   

At goaltender, junior Kayla Swartout (1.58 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending workload for the Fire this season.

January 11
Breck at Proctor/Hermantown - 1:00 PM

The Mustangs get on the bus and go up north along I-35 to face the Mirage in an intriguing Class A battle.  

Breck is coming off a 2-1 loss to Blake. The Mustangs' forwards are led by senior Mary Knoll (1-5-6), junior Maddie Dovenberg (2-2-4), sophomore Alexa Sherf (8-0-8), as well as freshmen Taylor Hall (4-15-19), Ashley Babbitt (6-13-19) and Mackenna Schlieman (15-3-18) who swarm all over the offensive zone. 

On defense, junior Casey Moos (0-2-2) and sophomore Luna Popescu lead a young group of skilled freshmen Alexis Ulrich (4-9-13), Aleah La Fleur (4-7-11), and Kenadee Crable (1-2-3) that contribute a significant amount of offense when they are not busy shutting other teams down. 

At goaltender, 8th-grader Clara Milinkovich (1.79 goals against average) has made every start for the Mustangs this season, and she gives Breck a chance to win each night. 

Proctor/Hermantown is coming off a 2-0 victory over Cloquet/Esko/Carlton. Mirage seniors Jane Eckstrom (14-6-20), Ella Rothe (7-4-11), Reese Knight (6-2-8), and Riah Ward (3-4-7), as well as juniors Mya Gunderson (6-9-15) and Mylie Chesley (2-6-8) lead a young forward group which includes talented freshman Ella Kaups (5-8-13) giving Mirage quality scoring depth. 

On defense, juniors Cambriia Thomas (2-6-8) and Rylee Kalkbrener (1-9-10) as well as sophomores Avery Milbridge (4-7-11) and Elise Eckstrom (0-6-6) as well as freshman Taylee Manion (2-4-6) have shown steady improvement throughout the season.  

Proctor/Hermantown has spread goaltending duties between senior Neelah McLeod (2.05 goals against average) and juniors Lillian Clemons (.923 save percentage) and Suri Langley (.957 save percentage) this season.  

January 11
Forest Lake at Grand Rapids/Greenway - 2:00 PM

The Rangers make their way up to Grand Rapids' Yanmar Arena to face the Lightning in this Section 7AA tilt with some significant seeding ramifications.

Forest Lake is coming off a 4-1 victory over Roseville/Mahtomedi. The Rangers are led at forward by seniors Rylen Kissel (Bethel commit, 8-9-17) and Madelyn Kemplin (6-1-7), junior Abigail Sklavenitis (8-7-15), as well as 8th-grader Hannah Rychley (7-7-14) 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 (0-6-6), sophomores Lilly Halweg (0-2-2) and Alexis Thompson (2-1-3) are a group that does a great job at denying the middle of the ice.

Junior Taylor Thompson (1.89 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.

Grand Rapids/Greenway is coming off a 2-1 victory over Brainerd/Little Falls. At forward, the Lightning lean on star seniors Mercury Bischoff (Minnesota State commit, 34-17-51), Mira Rajala (2-11-13), and Abby Skelly (5-13-18) toprovide leadership to a young team. Sophomore Opal Anderson (9-6-15) and 8th-grader Kate Carlson (6-21-27) have emerged to help spread out the scoring for the Lightning. 

On defense, seniors Maisie Bader (0-2-2) and Nina Hofstad (0-1-1), along with junior Haylie Forrest (4-5-9), sophomores Sophie Carlson (2-9-11) and Emma Muller (0-4-4), have demonstrated more poise and confidence with each game.  

At goaltender, junior Claire Tobeck (.843 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending duties, but they have also given sophomore Teagan Christy (1.64 goals against average) opportunities.