Duluth East at Andover
3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6

Speaking of key section battles, that’s the case Saturday afternoon when Andover (1-0-0) hosts No. 9-2A Duluth East (0-1-0) in a Class 2A, Section 7 showdown.

It hasn’t been much of a contest in the section the past six years, as Duluth East has rolled off that many consecutive state tournament berths. But the ‘Hounds graduated key defensemen Phil Beaulieu and Alex Trapp and must replace their extensive minutes — and offensive and defensive production.

Duluth East struggled to generate much offense in its season opener, a 3-0 loss at Wayzata in which the ‘Hounds had just 18 shots on goal. Senior Nick Altmann did fire six of those shots and will be key to the team’s offensive attack.

Andover certainly had plenty of offense in its opener, an 8-4 blistering of Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper last Saturday. Eight Huskies scored a goal, led by Tyler Vold’s five points (one goal, four assists).

Maddie Rooney, who starred in goal for the Andover girls last winter and is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth women’s program, stopped 20 of 24 shots in her first varsity start for the boys’ team.