Stillwater at Lakeville North
7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1

Lakeville North is forced to turn the page on last season's historic run which saw the Panthers clinch the Class 2A state championship while finishing with the first perfect season (31-0) in the largest class since Bloomington Jefferson did it in 1993.

Lakeville North lost eight seniors to graduation, and goalie Ryan Edquist elected to play this winter in the USHL for the Madison Capitols. These holes might keep the Panthers from the elite status they enjoyed all of last season, but the cupboard is by no means bare for the team as it starts the season ranked No. 2 in the Class 2A coaches' poll.

Leading this year’s charge is a talented trio of forwards, headed up by senior forward Max Johnson, a savvy veteran who scored 14 goals and assisted on 23 others last season. Johnson is a Division I recruit headed to Bowling Green.

Also back is Ryan Poehling, who skated on the first line last year with his older brothers Jack and Nick. The elder Poehlings have graduated and are skating with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers. Ryan, like his brothers, is committed to St. Cloud State.

Certainly not to be overlooked are two veteran forwards in senior Taylor Schneider and junior forward Henry Enebak, a strong skater with a keen ability to finish. Enebek scored 16 goals and 17 assists last year while Schneider reached 30 points, notching 14 goals.

Stillwater is on the road for five of its first six games, though none are likely to be as difficult as the season opener against Lakeville North.

However, the Ponies are loaded with returning and experienced players from a team that finished with a 19-9 record and reached the Class 2A, Section 4 final before falling to Hill-Murray 4-0.

Expected to lead the way is senior forward Jackson Cates, last year’s team Most Valuable Player after scoring a school-record 24 goals. Cates is one of three returning Ponies who put up double-digit goal totals a season ago, along with Noah Cates (13-17-30) and Simon Sagissor (11-13-14).

Goaltender Josh Benson was named last week to the Star Tribune’s preseason metro dream team after finishing last season with a .900 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average. A three-year starter, Benson was a key member of Stillwaters’ first state tournament team from two years ago.