Burnsville at Prior Lake
3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24

Two-time defending Class 2A state champion Edina is everyone’s favorite to represent Section 2 at the state tournament again this winter, but the race for the No. 2 seed in the section heats up with a game between No. 11-2A Burnsville (9-7-1) and No. 17-2A Prior Lake (9-6-1) on Saturday afternoon.

The Lakers won the first meeting 3-1 on Dec. 13 at Burnsville as Connor Clemons (13-10-23) scored twice and Kevin Fellows (2-15-17) had two assists. The Blaze actually had the edge in shots, 33-25, but Prior Lake goaltender Drew Scites (5-4-1, 2.23, .915) made 32 saves.

Since winning three times in its first nine games, Burnsville has gone 6-2-0 as the young Blaze have started to figure out a few things. In five of those six wins, they’ve allowed one or fewer goals, anchored by senior goaltender Dyllan Lubbesmeyer (7-7-1, 2.42, .907). Coach Janne Kivihalme had to rebuild much of his team’s offense after graduation and early departures decimated it, but the defense was expected to be strong with Lubbesmeyer and defenseman Jack Ahcan (4-17-21) leading the way — and it has been.