Eden Prairie at Farmington
3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6

Farmington (1-1-0) has already given one top-10 hockey power a run this year (losing 6-5 in overtime to No. 2-2A Lakeville North on Nov. 25), which surprised some observers.

Can the Tigers follow it up with another strong effort against No. 8-2A Eden Prairie (2-0-0)?

If so, it will erase any doubt about Farmington’s strength this year. Not that there should be much question after a 23-win season that culminated in a loss to Lakeville North in the Class 2A, Section 1 finals last year.

The Tigers returned seven of their top nine scorers, including senior Austin Martinsen, who has come out of the gate with four goals and two assists in two games. John Siebenaler and Grady Hauswirth have also scored two goals and an assist each.

Eden Prairie has played two very different games, outscoring Maple Grove 8-3 in the season opener and then edging Prior Lake 2-1 last Saturday. The results show coach Lee Smith’s team can play either style and will be dangerous.

The Eagles have a top defensive unit and picked up plenty of scoring from the combo of Michael Graham (four goals, three assists) and Casey Mittelstadt (two goals, four assists). Shaun Durocher has answered the early question of who will start in goal, stopping 54 of 58 shots in winning both games.