Orono at New Prague
7:15 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18

It hasn’t been an easy start for No. 9-1A Orono (0-4-0). Not only are the Spartans winless through four games, but they had to reschedule last Saturday’s game against St. Cloud Cathedral because coach Kasey Yoder couldn’t suit up enough players to field a team — all were sick with the flu. Orono, which qualified for last year’s state tournament out of Section 2, is next rewarded with a road trip to No. 7-1A New Prague (6-0-0) this Thursday.

The Spartans haven’t been able to score with any regularity through four games, netting just five total goals. They do have one of the state’s best goaltenders in senior Jon Flakne (0-4-0, 3.75, .897), who powered the team to last year’s state tournament with a great section tournament run.

New Prague knows about top goaltenders, as Conner Wagner (6-0-0, 1.50, .941) also anchored a team that took home a state third-place trophy last winter. He’s come out just as hot, as the Trojans have won four one-goal games out of six total victories. Junior Alex Gregor (8-6-14) leads the team in scoring and has at least one goal in all but one game.