Moorhead at Alexandria
7:15 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 6

There isn’t a traditional rivalry between No. 15-2A Moorhead (7-4-2) and No. 12-1A Alexandria (10-0-1). Nor are there any section or conference implications. But what there is in this game is the chance for a rising Class 1A team to take on one of the bullies in the northwestern Minnesota block — and gain a huge measure of respect statewide.

Alexandria is one of the few remaining unbeaten teams in the state, with only a 4-4 tie with St. Cloud Apollo on Dec. 4 keeping it from a perfect record. The Cardinals have won some tight games, with one-goal victories over Fergus Falls, St. Cloud Cathedral and Thief River Falls. Ryan Marciniak (8-10-18) leads the team in points, while Alec Wosepka (11-3-14) is the goal-scoring leader.

Moorhead is a strong defensive team, anchored by two top senior defensemen in Alex Mehnert (3-14-17) and Will Borgen (0-10-10). Both missed the Spuds’ last game, a 3-2 victory over Bloomington Jefferson, after being ejected from the Sports Authority Holiday Classic finale against Prior Lake. Both are expected back to challenge Alexandria, however.