Grand Rapids at Lakeville North
Noon, Saturday, Dec. 12

Minnesota high school hockey fans love when north and metro teams collide, and Saturday’s matinee special at Lakeville's Ames Arena ought to offer many of the components ripe for a classic.

Defending Class 2A state champion Lakeville North enters the week having only played two games, with a third one scheduled on Thursday at No. 19-2A Farmington before facing No. 7-2A Grand Rapids.

Following the 6-5 season-opening loss to No. 10-2A Stillwater, the No. 8-2A Panthers got well in a hurry against Shakopee on Saturday, smashing the Sabres 10-1 on their home ice. Ryan Poehling, Max Johnson, Thomas Klans and Henry Enebak each scored twice in the victory as Lakeville North poured 46 shots on goal (26 of them in the first period).

Grand Rapids has taken care of business against the usual suspects up north and its only blemish coming at the hands of No. 3-2A Benilde-St. Margaret’s (4-3 on Nov. 28). To start the season, the Thunderhawks skated to a 1-1 tie with No. 11-2A Bemidji. 

Grand Rapids has a score of talented skaters, perhaps most notably forwards Mitchell Mattson, who is headed to North Dakota, and Gophers recruit Blake McLaughlin. However, it is junior Micah Miller who is leading the scoring, putting up six goals after recording a hat trick at Warroad on Saturday.