No. 1 Lakeville North at No. 8 Duluth East
5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6
At Duluth Heritage Sports Center
MN Hockey Hub Spotlight Game

Can East’s strong defense slow Lakeville North?

Since starting the year 2-3-0 in its first five games, the Panthers are unbeaten with a 16-0-1 surge. They’ve completely stymied opponents on defense, allowing more than three goals just once in the last 16 games and averaging 1.35 goals against during their unbeaten stretch. Offensively, North is clipping along at 4.91 goals per game, with a 25.3 percent power-play success.

It appears as if the systems put in place in Eigner’s third year fit the club perfectly.

Of course, it helps to have players. North has depth and talent across the board, with a dozen players scoring in double-figure points. Junior twins Jack Poehling (22-21-43) and Nick Poehling (8-23-31) lead the team in scoring, just ahead of senior Tristen Hazlett (9-18-27) and freshman Ryan Poehling (11-13-24) — yes, the younger brother of Jack and Nick. Conner Hyden (10-10-20) also has hit double-figure goals for the Panthers. In goal, senior Will DuPont (12-1-0, 1.85, .907) has been effective, as has hulking 6-foot-3 freshman Jake Oettinger (6-1-1, 1.98, .929). DuPont, a team captain, has started the past four games, allowing only four goals in that span.

Meanwhile, East allows only 2.05 goals per game and is especially effective on the penalty kill, limiting opponents to just a 10-percent success rate. The ‘Hounds are also strong on the power play, hitting at 35.8 percent and getting 19 of its 63 goals with the extra attacker. That’s in line with Randolph’s systems, which emphasize positioning and puck movement.

Nick Altmann (13-15-28) leads the ‘Hounds in scoring while Nebraska-Omaha recruit Phil Beaulieu (10-16-26) plays all over the ice, but East is not a high-scoring team overall. When the Greyhounds have run into trouble this year, it’s been a lack of scoring that has slowed them. One of the more amazing stats in high school hockey is East’s streak of winning seasons. The Greyhounds have already guaranteed a 61st consecutive winning season since a 3-4-0 finish in 1953.

There have been plenty of common opponents this winter, as both teams have played tough schedules designed to prepare them for the playoffs. Assuming the transitive property, Lakeville North should be in good shape. The Panthers are 7-0-1 against common opponents, with an amazing five shutouts (Apple Valley twice, Eden Prairie, Lakeville South, Prior Lake and Hill-Murray), while Duluth East is 4-2-0 against those same foes.

But as the cliché says, the games aren’t played on paper.