January 9
White Bear Lake at Park of Cottage Grove - 7:00 PM

This is an interesting Suburban East Conference matchup as a defense-first Bears make their way to the Cottage Grove Ice Arena to battle an offense-first Wolfpack club. 

White Bear Lake is coming off a 3-1 victory over Stillwater. The Bears are led at forward by seniors Jack Stanius (10 goals, 13 assists, 23 points), Blake Eckerle (8-7-15), and Noah Norman (2-2-4), along with junior Tyler Lalonde (3-2-5) carry most of the scoring. Freshman Nash Roed (8-6-14) is a rising star for White Bear Lake, hoping to follow in the skates of his brothers Lleyton Roed and Nolan Roed.

The Bears' power play has been effective, finding the back of the net at a 30.8% rate.

On defense, seniors Will Distad (Minnesota State commit, 1-7-8) and Evan Newlander (3-2-5) and juniors  Tanner Olsen (0-4-4), Nathaniel Celski (1-3-4) and Zac Baay (0-3-3) take care of business at both ends of the ice.

At goaltender, senior Leo Gabriel (1.57 goals against average) carries most of the workload for the Bears, but they have given opportunities to junior Riley Helmberger (one shutout), too.

Park of Cottage Grove feels confident after a 7-2 rout of Woodbury. The Wolfpack are led at forward by seniors Owen Corkish (12-19-31), Gavin Moss (12-10-22), Drew Schumacher (5-5-10), Michael DeStasio(1-6-7), and Max Kaplan (5-11-16) who play with plenty of flash and dash. Juniors Brody Siemer (3-4-7) and Nick Bailey (4-3-7) help give Park of Cottage Grove valuable secondary scoring.  

On defense, seniors Caden Schwartz (3-11-14) and Eli Daly (0-3-3), juniors Luke Dahlstrom (4-11-15) and Malachi McMorrow (3-2-5), sophomore Jack Kennedy (0-3-3) are a nice blend of size, skill and experience.

At goaltender, the Wolfpack have rotated between junior Henry Voss (.894 save percentage) and senior Aidan Miller (.876 save percentage) this season.

January 9
Rochester Century/John Marshall at Holy Family - 7:00 PM

Rochester Century/John Marshall make their way up to the west metro area to battle the Fire at Victoria Recreation Center.

Rochester Century/John Marshall is riding a 6-game win streak and feeling strong after a 6-0 rout of Austin. The Panthers' forward group is led by seniors Brock Clarey (10-16-26), Cooper Hedin (4-7-11), and Ole Fevold (12-12-24, who collected his 100th career point in the win over Austin) along with juniors Calvin O'Reilly (17-11-28), Jarak Solak (6-5-11) and Cooper Torgrimson (2-16-18) give Rochester Century/John Marshall two solid scoring lines. 

On defense, senior Owyn Tomminello (4-13-17), Austin Gibson (2-3-5) and Jack Huyber (2-6-8), junior Dominic Palazarri (1-4-5) sophomore Hatcher Hodge (3-7-10) are a group that likes to activate offensively and help keep the Panthers on the attack. 

At goaltender, senior Kyle Lappi (2.17 goals against average) has carried most of the duties between the pipes for the Panthers this season.  

Holy Family is coming off a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against Delano. The Fire is led up front by senior Bryce Wiitala (Lindenwood commit, 6-11-17) and Sawyer Graubins (9-8-17), and sophomore Ryder Sorenson (5-8-13) provides most of the scoring punch for Holy Family.

On defense, seniors Jack Barrett (4-2-6), Nick Briden (0-3-3), Carson Moe (2-2-4), Will Dunlap (1-2-3), and Cameron Dean (0-4-4), along with sophomore Cooper Avelar (1-4-5) have plenty of experience and poise.  

At goaltender, senior Adam Kimbrel (.907 save percentage) has carried most of the responsibilities in the Fire crease, but they have utilized fellow senior Jackson Smith (.938 save percentage) as well.

January 10
River Lakes @ Princeton - 7:00 PM

The Stars make their way east to take on the Tigers at the First Bank and Trust Ice Arena in Princeton in a game with some seeding ramifications in Section 5A.

River Lakes has the momentum of a four-game win streak and is coming off a hard-fought 5-4 overtime victory against Breckinridge/Wahpeton. The Stars' forward group is led by senior Blake Schultz (15-12-27) along with juniors Jaiden Mackedanz (4-13-17), Eric Paulson (6-3-9), and Parker Welz (10-4-14) as well as sophomore Lucas Bayer (3-4-7) give River Lakes decent scoring depth through its top two lines.

On defense, senior Jace Griffin (3-9-12), juniors Brock Bruntlett (1-3-4), Gabe Hoekstra (0-2-2), Gavin Bulthuis (0-2-2), and Jacob Blaschko (1-3-4) along with sophomore Evan Jones (3-2-5) give are a well-rounded group that is mobile and consistent from the top pairing to the third pairing.  

At goaltender, junior William Robinson (.842 save percentage) has carried most of the workload for the Stars, but they have utilized senior Hawken Swanstrom (2.31 goals against average) and sophomore Devin Swanson (3.85 goals against average) as well.

Princeton is coming off a 6-2 loss to Pine City Area. The Tigers are led at forward by seniors Lane Olson (15-9-24, who recently passed the 100 career points milestone), Brady Kok (2-17-19), Levi Senne (4-5-9) and Connor Stokke (7-11-18) lead the way offensively for the Tigers. Sophomores Isaac Nelson (6-5-11) and Brayden Seppala (3-4-7) provide additional scoring depth. 

Princeton's power play has been potent, finding the back of the net at a 32.5% rate.

On defense, seniors Dominic Patnode (2-6-8), Cullen Drews (1-2-3), and Cade Pidde (3-2-5), as well as junior Luka Miller (0-5-5) are an experienced top four and log a lot of minutes for the Tigers.

At goaltender, senior Kole Roth (.898 save percentage) has carried most of the workload for the Tigers this season, but they have utilized senior Liam Duffner (one shutout) as well.

January 11
Hermantown @ Warroad - 2:15 PM

The battle for Class A supremacy in the 218 usually goes through these two teams, and this should be another dandy as Hermantown travels to Warroad to face the Warriors.  

Hermantown is coming off a 4-0 victory over Eden Prairie. The Hawks are led up front by seniors River Freeman (13-5-18, who recently collected his 100th career point in the Hawks win over Eden Prairie) and Charlie Marchand (3-4-7), as well as juniors Ford Skytta (6-9-15) and Bodie Madill (2-5-7) along with sophomore Nick Martalock (2-6-8) carry most of the scoring for Hermantown.

The Hawks' power play is heating up, finding the back on 34.3% of its opportunities.

On defense, seniors Henry Peterson (St. Thomas commit, 3-10-13) and Cam Lukovsky (1-0-1), juniors Jack Slattengen (2-0-2) and Cayden Manion (1-1-2) along with sophomores Gabe Swenson (1-8-9) and Ethan Aysta (0-2-2) round out Hermantown's blueline. 

Junior Bryce Francisco (1.31 goals against average) is starting to find his groove this season in goal. 

Warroad is riding a four-game win streak and is feeling good after a 4-1 victory over Detroit Lakes. The Warriors are led up front by senior Taven James (11-11-22), along with juniors Ryan Shaugabay (6-15-21), Taylor Humeniuk (2-1-3), and Ryan Chamernick to drive the Warriors' offense. Keep an eye on talented sophomore Gavin Andersen (4-9-13), who has emerged as an essential source of scoring for the Warriors.

On defense, juniors Broden Hontvet (6-9-15), Mason Reed, Sam Hard (2-4-6) and Thomas Grapentine (1-0-1), and sophomores Ryan Lee (1-2-3) and Wesley Schreiner (0-1-1) provide experience and poise that may make it one of the more well-rounded bluelines in Class A.  

At goaltender, the Warriors have rotated between junior Patrick Kennedy (2.91 goals against average) and sophomore Finn Hanson (2.00 goals against average) as well.

January 11
Benilde-St. Margaret's @ Moorhead - 5:00 PM

The Red Knights travel north along I-94 to face the Spuds in a classic metro versus outstate Class AA showdown. YHH recently interviewed Moorhead's Mason Kraft as part of its Rink of Fire podcast.

Benilde-St. Margaret's have won their last three games and are coming off a 4-3 victory over Maple Grove. The Red Knights are led at forward by seniors Junior Poedin (Western Michigan commit, 6-8-14), Cam Kirschner (6-8-14), and AJ Ulrich (3-3-6), as well as junior Keegan Davis (8-5-13) lead the way offensively for Benilde-St. Margaret's. 

On defense, seniors Carter Callan (2-7-9) and Peyton Mulheran (0-3-3), juniors Mason Minor (2-6-8) and Nick Johnson (1-1-2) along with sophomore Ben Palmer use their mobility to take away time and space in their zone.

At goaltender, junior Christopher Dean (2.71 goals against average) has carried most of the duties between the pipes for the Red Knights, but they have utilized senior Matthew Perreault (2.00 goals against average) as well.

Moorhead has won its last 13 games and feels good after a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against St. Thomas Academy. The Spuds are led at forward by seniors Mason Kraft (Minnesota State commit, 18-25-43), Carver Hasbargen (6-9-15) and Brooks Cullen (Michigan State commit, 7-11-18) as well as talented sophomores Zac Zimmerman (18-22-40) and Max Cullen (8-5-13) and speedy junior Tyden Bergeson (8-9-17) give Moorhead two top lines that few teams in the state can match in terms of skill and scoring.  

The Spuds power play is dangerous, lighting the lamp at a 37.5% rate.

On defense, seniors Aiden Dufault (0-5-5) and Carter Huotari (0-3-3), as well as juniors Brandon Mickelson (4-17-21), Brady Steffen (0-6-6) and Zak Devig (0-5-5) in addition to sophomore Drew Simonich (2-5-7) are a group that exudes calm, poise and great on-ice awareness. 

Senior goaltender Charlie Stenhjem (1.88 goals against average) has made every start for the Spuds this season.