January 16
Minneapolis at Delano - 7:15 PM

Minneapolis takes the trip to the west metro to face the Tigers at Delano Area Sports Arena. With both teams coming off of recent losses, which one will be able to take out their frustration on their way to a victory? 

Minneapolis is coming off a 4-2 loss to Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper. They are led at forward by senior Johan Krasean (11 goals, 14 assists, 25 points), junior Eli Milinkovich (11-10-21), and sophomore Rory Kronick (9-9-18), who provide grit, skill and scoring up front. Senior Hudson Kruse (3-1-4) and juniors Oliver Kutzer (2-1-3) and Owen DeYoung (3-0-3) chip in offensively as well. 

On defense, senior Nick Anderson (4-13-17), juniors Milo Black (2-3-5) and Jack Shroat (0-2-2), and freshman Wilson Lamberty (3-8-11) are a group that likes to be involved in the play at either end of the ice.

At goaltender, senior Adam Lybeck (.887 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending duties for Minneapolis, but they have utilized junior Griffin Simpson (1.44 goals against average) as well.

Delano is coming off an 8-2 loss to Lakeville South. The Tigers are led up front by seniors Mason Hargarten (8-10-18), Bryce Peterson (9-6-15), and Joseph McCabe (Lawrence commit for lacrosse, 4-10-14), juniors Brody Geislinger (4-4-8) and Daniel Halonen (6-9-15) give Delano good scoring balance. Freshman Lance Halonen (5-9-14) continues to show promise.

On defense, seniors Markus Kangas (6-6-12), Eddie Lins (0-2-2), and Aaron Halonen (1-3-4), along with juniors Connor Oja (0-4-4) and Luke Robertson, are a group that has experience and plays a steady, stay-at-home game. Freshman Jackson Wollak (1-4-5) is the youngster of the blueline, but he has plenty of upperclassmen to learn from.  

At goaltender, junior Evan Geyen (.875 save percentage) has made the majority of the starts this season, but they have utilized fellow junior Aidan Janiga (.884 save percentage) and sophomore Lincoln Truax (.905 save percentage) as well.

January 16
Northern Lakes at River Lakes - 7:15 PM

This is an intriguing Section 6A versus Section 5A battle between the Lightning and the Stars as Northern Lakes travels to Richmond to face River Lakes.  

Northern Lakes are coming off a 5-2 victory over Duluth Marshall. The Lightning is led up front by seniors Drew Paulbeck (16-13-29), Easton Anderson (5-2-7) and Jerome Martin (9-9-18), junior Jacob Peterson (10-4-14), as well as sophomore Parker Fulton (4-6-10) carry most of Northern Lakes' scoring. 

On defense, senior Wyatt Balmer (1-16-17) and junior Leyton Cable (0-7-7) lead a young defense corps. Sophomores Grant Vershey (0-5-5) and Brodie Nybakken (0-2-2) are gaining more confidence as the season progresses.

At goaltender, sophomore Sam Suja (1.78 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for the Lightning, but they have utilized juniors Hunter Moreland (1.45 goals against average) and Damon John (.818 save percentage) as well.

River Lakes is coming off a hard-fought 5-4 victory over Princeton. The Stars' forward group is led by senior Blake Schultz (21-18-39) along with juniors Jaiden Mackedanz (4-18-22), Eric Paulson (7-3-10) and Parker Welz (16-5-21), along with sophomore Lucas Bayer (3-5-8) give River Lakes balanced scoring through its top two lines.

On defense, senior Jace Griffin (6-12-18), juniors Brock Bruntlett (1-2-3), Gabe Hoekstra (0-2-2), Gavin Bulthuis (0-2-2) and Isaac Blaschko (1-7-8) along with sophomore Evan Jones (3-2-5) move the puck well and keep the Stars on the attack.

At goaltender, junior William Robinson (.857 save percentage) has carried most of the workload for the Stars, but they have utilized senior Hawken Swanstrom (.875 save percentage) and sophomore Devin Swanson (3.85 goals against average) as well.

January 17
Hermantown at Hibbing/Chisholm - 7:00 PM 

The Hawks travel into the Iron Range to face the Bluejackets at Hibbing Memorial Arena in what could be a preview of the section 7A title game.  

Hermantown is coming off a 4-1 victory over Warroad. The Hawks are led up front by seniors River Freeman (18-6-24). Charlie Marchand (4-7-11), as well as juniors Ford Skytta (7-13-20) and Bodie Madill (4-6-10), along with sophomore Nick Martalock (3-6-9), carry most of the scoring for Hermantown.

The Hawks' power play is heating up, finding the back on 32.6% of its opportunities.

On defense, seniors Henry Peterson (St. Thomas commit, 3-13-16) and Cam Lukovsky (1-1-2), juniors Jack Slattengen (2-0-2) and Cayden Manion (1-3-4), along with sophomores Gabe Swenson (1-12-13) and Ethan Aysta (0-3-3) round out Hermantown's blueline. 

At goaltender, junior Bryce Francisco (1.30 goals against average) gives the Hawks a chance to win each night. 

Hibbing/Chisholm is coming off a 4-1 loss to Grand Rapids. Hibbing/Chisholm is led up front by a trio of juniors in Tate Swanson (11-23-34), Isaiah Hildenbrand (5-19-24), and Kelin Elsner (8-3-11), who give the Bluejackets carry most of the scoring load for the Bluejackets. Senior Jace Kampsula (12-5-17) and juniors Benny Galli (7-8-15) and Hunter Gustavsson (5-2-7) provide additional scoring depth. Freshman Cole Swanson (6-17-23) plays with a poise not often seen by a player his age. 

On defense, senior Ayden Jerkovich, along with juniors Ethan Sundvall (8-14-22), Landon Krampotich (2-5-7), and Mason McDonald (0-3-3), as well as sophomore Dylan Vesel (0-5-5) and freshman Whitaker Rewertz (5-5-10) will try to slow down Hermantown's offense. Talented sophomore Jackson Strukel (0-1-1) is back from injury, giving the Bluejackets another skilled two-way defender who can chip in offensively.   

Hibbing/Chisholm's penalty kill is solid, shutting down opposing power plays at a 95.1% rate.  

At goaltender, senior Rex Walli (2.17 goals against average) shoulders most of the goaltending workload for Hibbing/Chisholm, but they have given opportunities to junior Gavin Lamphere (.759 save percentage) and senior Tim Urdahl (.857 save percentage) to battle for starts as well.

January 18
Grand Rapids at Hill-Murray - 2:00 PM

The Thunderhawks trek down to Aldrich Arena in Maplewood to face the Pioneers in this Class AA showdown.  

YHH recently interviewed Hill-Murray's Boden Sampair as part of their Rink of Fire podcast.

Grand Rapids is coming off a 4-1 victory over Hibbing/Chisholm, and they are riding a 6-game winning streak. The Thunderhawks are led up front by juniors Nate Garski (11-9-20), Seth Carlson (4-7-11), and Jameson Duell (7-12-19), sophomore Ander Rajala (7-8-15) provide most of the scoring punch for the Thunderhawks.

On defense, senior Luka Rohloff (5-17-22), juniors Owen Simons (0-2-2), Colton Stupar (1-1-2), and Alexander Salisbury (1-4-5), sophomore Luke Palecek (3-6-9) are a defense corps that moves the puck well and plays the game with confidence.

Junior Carter Casey (2.20 goals against average) and senior Ryder Miskovich (.946 save percentage) give the Thunderhawks two solid options at goaltender.

Hill-Murray is coming off a 9-0 rout of Hastings. The Pioneers are led up front by seniors Boden Sampair (Holy Cross commit, 21-20-41) and Jackson Reeves (7-4-11), junior Chaz Lentz (12-20-32), sophomores Riley Zupfer (11-18-29) and Caden Zasada (7-4-11) give Hill-Murray solid scoring depth.

The Pioneers' power play is rolling along at 31.1%.

On defense, seniors Graham Greeder (Minnesota State commit, 5-12-17), Landon Cottingham (Alaska-Fairbanks commit, 5-8-13) and John Kelly (1-11-12), juniors Casper Lang (1-8-9) and Tommy Miller (3-7-10), sophomore Carson Scott (2-8-10) all bring a mix of size, skill and strong two-way play to the Pioneers' blueline.

Hill-Murray's penalty kill has been stifling opposing power plays at a 93.5% rate this season.

At goaltender, the Pioneers have rotated between junior Grayson Hanggi (1.52 goals against average) and senior Jackson Johnson (.889 save percentage) this season.

January 18
Wayzata at Moorhead - 5:00 PM

Wayzata makes the trip up I-94 to face the Spuds at Moorhead's Sports Center in this clash of two well-coached Class AA schools. The Trojans defeated Moorhead 3-2 during their Turkey Trot tournament back in late November. Can Wayzata earn the regular season sweep of the Spuds, or can Moorhead erase the one blemish on its record?  

Wayzata is coming off a 6-6 tie to Eden Prairie. At forward, the Trojans are led by seniors Max Luedtke (7-4-11), Tate Roeder (3-4-7), and Nolan O'Connell (5-4-9), along with junior Eli Molde (8-12-20), who still employ a score-by-committee attack. Juniors Tommy Colmenaro (2-9-11) and Christopher Pyle (4-4-8), along with sophomore Jackson Hendricks (6-5-11) help provide secondary scoring.  

On defense, seniors Finn De St. Hubert (Yale commit, 3-11-14), Carson Clark (1-11-12), Ben Nuenfeldt (1-5-6), and George Ericson (2-9-11), along with junior Jake Nawrocki (0-3-3) will be leaned upon to keep games low-scoring.

At goaltender, junior Ryan Pellinger (2.78 goals against average) has been the Trojans' workhorse between the pipes, but they have utilized senior Sammy Swan (.889 save percentage) as well.

YHH interviewed Moorhead's Mason Kraft a few weeks ago as part of its Rink of Fire podcast.

Moorhead is coming off a 5-3 victory over Benilde-St. Margaret's and is feeling the momentum - and the grind - of a 15-game win streak. The Spuds are led at forward by seniors Mason Kraft (Minnesota State commit, 21-27-48), Carver Hasbargen (6-10-16), and Brooks Cullen (Michigan State commit, 8-13-21), as well as talented sophomore Zac Zimmerman (19-25-44) and junior Tyden Bergeson (10-10-20) who provide most of the firepower for Moorhead offensively. Sophomore Max Cullen (9-5-14) is gaining more confidence with each game.

The Spuds' power play is dangerous, finding the back of the net at 35.6%.

On defense, seniors Aiden Dufault (0-5-5) and Carter Huotari (0-3-3), as well as juniors Brandon Mickelson (4-19-23), Brady Steffen (0-6-6) and Zak Devig (0-6-6) along with Drew Simonich (2-7-9) play an intelligent game and move the puck efficiently around the offensive zone and help the team break out of their own end with pace.

Senior goaltender Charlie Stenehjem (1.90 goals against average) has made every start for the Spuds this season.