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Alexandria at Brainerd/Little Falls 
Thursday, December 11 
7:00 PM 

While Moorhead and Roseau have been the dominant powers in recent years in Section 8AA, Alexandria and Brainerd/Little Falls have legitimate darkhorse ambitions. 

Since dropping its first two games of the season, Alexandria (6-3) has won six of seven, including back-to-back victories over Apple Valley and Buffalo last Friday and Saturday, respectively. In their first nine games, the Cardinals have proven adept at the art of the nailbiter. Five of the team’s six wins have been by two goals or fewer. 

Anna Korynta leads the Cardinals in scoring with four goals and nine points, followed by Maya Dutton (four goals, four assists, eight points) and Teagan Cullen (3-4-7). Goaltender Victoria Meyers may be one of the state’s best-kept secrets, having recorded a .913 save percentage while playing every minute this season. 

A 3-3 tie has sparked a five-game winning streak for undefeated Brainerd/Little Falls. Like the Cardinals, the Warriors are solid in tight games, entering the weekend with a 3-0 record in one-goal games. 

Kylie Glas and Elsie Haakonson are tied for the team lead in scoring, with matching stat lines of five goals, one assist, and six points. Again, like Alexandria, the Warriors have a goaltender whose resume should merit discussion as one of the state’s best. Sydney Aylward has stopped 127 shots on 132 attempts, good for a goals-against-average of 0.82 and a .962 save percentage. 

No. 10-2A Andover at No. 6-2A Maple Grove 
Thursday, December 11 
7:00 PM 

Andover (5-4) pounded its way back into the top-10 rankings after topping Moorhead 3-2 last weekend, and Thursday gives the Huskies another chance to put a win over a ranked opponent on their record. Julia Gerdes and Icelyn Larson have combined for 15 points through eight games, and goaltender Claire Hills has a sparkling GAA of 1.71 and a .924 save percentage. 

Thursday offers a chance at redemption for the Crimson (6-2), which suffered a 3-1 loss against Centennial/Spring Lake Park last Friday. Hadley Bakker is the team’s leading scorer with 10 goals and 12 points so far this season, with Cate Fischer (2-6-8) the only other player on the roster with more than one goal. Goaltender Bella Prosser wields a .935 save percentage, second-best in the Lake Conference among goaltenders who have faced more than 170 shots. 

No. 4-2A Edina at No. 5-2A Centennial/Spring Lake Park 
Thursday, December 11 
7:00 PM 

Edina could have appeared on this list twice, given that the Hornets (5-2) take on No. 3-2A Minnetonka on Saturday afternoon. But, given the non-conference nature of this matchup, this game feels more interesting. 

The Hornets blanked Eden Prairie 6-0 after falling to Hill-Murray 4-3 last week, marking the fourth time Edina has scored six or more goals this season. Wisconsin commit Audrey Davis has totaled seven goals and 17 points through seven games to lead the team. Defensively, the Hornets appear to still be rotating between a trio of goaltenders, with Lucy Bertram, Soren Peacock, and Finley Engfer, all playing at least 100 minutes this season. 

A 2-0 loss to Holy Family has led to a three-game winning streak for Centennial/Spring Lake Park (8-1-1), which has outscored Elk River, Maple Grove, and River Cities by a combined score of 23-5 over the last week. Thanks to the scoring outburst, eight players have now reached double-digit point totals, led by Laini Gnetz (15-8-23) and Mia Sutch (12-10-22). 

Goaltender Kaia Weiland’s numbers are among the best in Minnesota, with a GAA of 1.35 and a .938 save percentage. 

No. 1-2A Holy Family at No. 7-2A Bemidji 
Friday, December 12 
6:00 PM 

Top-ranked Holy Family will take its show on the road this weekend, hitting northern Minnesota for games against the Lumberjacks and Moorhead. The Fire (8-0) has standouts on both ends of the ice, and both happen to be committed to Wisconsin. Maddy Kimbrel leads the offense with 14 goals and 20 points, and goaltender Kayla Swartout has stopped 187 of 197 shots this season, resulting in a 1.40 GAA and a save percentage of .949 to go along with two shutouts. 

Bemidji (7-0) is having a flag-planting season, scoring wins over perennial powers Warroad and Benilde-St. Margaret’s and plowing into the top-10. Four Lumberjacks have reached the 10-point mark this season, led by stud forward Bailey Rupp’s 15 goals and 20 points. Millie Knott (7-6-13), Megan Berg (3-7-10), and Naomi Johnson (4-6-10) add to the Bemidji firepower. Goaltender Lily Lauer has been impressive, earning a save percentage of .955 while playing every minute for the Lumberjacks.