Breck at St. Thomas Academy
7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11

Before St. Thomas Academy opted up to Class 2A last year, Wednesday night’s game against Breck would have held a bit more juice than it does now.

During their time together in Class 1A, the two programs combined to win nine state titles in 14 years (Breck in 2000, 04, 09 and 10; St. Thomas Academy in 2006, 08, 11, 12 and 13). A late-season matchup in those years likely would have been considered a state tournament preview.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t a great game, however. Both are among the favorites to win state championships this winter, but a playoff meeting is no longer a possibility. Fans will have to settle for regular-season bragging rights instead.

The No. 4-2A Cadets (19-3-0) streaked out of the gate with a 13-game winning streak that was finally snapped by Benilde-St. Margaret’s on Jan. 13. They’ve since lost twice more but are still the favorite to emerge from Section 3, thanks to a high-powered top line of Peter Tufto (24-34-58), Christiano Versich (19-35-54) and Alec Broetzman (27-26-53) — and some great secondary scoring from the likes of Will Jerry (18-18-36).

No. 4-1A Breck (17-6-0) appears primed for a deep playoff run, as the Mustangs have ripped off eight straight wins by a combined 44-7 score. That streak has lowered their goals against average to just 1.36 per game, one of the top marks in the state. Stephen Headrick (17-6-0, 1.34, .928) has anchored the Mustangs in goal.