Duluth Marshall at Hermantown
7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16

It’s Class 1A's No. 1 vs. No. 2 facing off in Hermantown, where the Hawks (13-2-0) host Section 7 rival Duluth Marshall (12-1-1). The two teams will likely meet in the section final later this winter with a spot in the state tournament at stake — and most possibly the No. 1 overall seed. Obviously, the game features the two best teams in Class 1A to this point in the season, separated by just 6.5 miles of Duluth hillside.

It’s also a rematch from just over two weeks ago, when the Hawks defeated Marshall 6-2 in the semifinals of the Hilltopper Holiday Tournament. Hermantown overcame a 2-1 second-period deficit to win. Cole Koepke (7-11-18) netted two goals and Matt Valure (5-8-13) had a goal and an assist for the Hawks.

That game marks' the Hilltoppers' lone loss, as they saw a 10-game winning streak come to an end. It was the most goals given up in a game this season by Marshall and top goaltender Alex Murray (9-1-1, 1.77, .929). The Hilltoppers have allowed a total of 24 goals for an average of 1.71 per game.