Maple Grove at Eden Prairie
7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5

Maple Grove is another early test for No. 1-2A Eden Prairie, as the Eagles work to establish themselves as the team everyone else will chase.

Eden Prairie (1-0) is top-ranked for a reason, bringing a trove of experienced talent back from a team that reached the Class 2A state semifinals a season ago. This year’s Eagles have big names that will likely become bigger by the end of the season.

Gophers recruit Casey Mittelstadt already has five points after one game, and senior forward Michael Graham, a Notre Dame commit, has two goals. The two combined for 51 goals last year.

The Crimson (2-2) have rebounded with a couple of convincing Northwest Suburban Conference victories since dropping their first two games of the season at the Cable 12 Turkey Trot Tournament in Plymouth.

In wins over Armstrong/Cooper (7-1) and Osseo (9-0), Maple Grove got back on track offensively and was perhaps able to build some confidence after earlier defeats to No. 5-2A Wayzata and No. 16-2A Holy Family.

Crimson junior forward Sam Huff is off to a hot start with seven goals and eight point, while Justin Kelley (3-2-5) and Trevor Janicke (4-1-5) have been productive as well.

The teams played last year, with Eden Prairie recording an 8-3 victory at Maple Grove Community Center.