Bemidji at East Grand Forks
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15

Another important matchup in the Mariucci Conference, this game features two talented teams trending in opposite directions.

Bemidji (5-0-1, 3-0) has steadily taken care of business in building a four-point lead atop the league standings. Since a 1-1 tie with No. 5-2A Grand Rapids on Nov. 24, the No. 10-2A Lumberjacks are averaging almost seven goals a game in wins over No. 19-2A Moorhead (5-0), No. 11-1A Thief River Falls (7-3), Warroad (8-3) and Rogers (7-2).

The conference meeting, on the road against last year’s Class 1A state champions, could do a lot to shape Bemidji’s course heading into the new year. The Lumberjacks have yet to allow a shorthanded goal, having killed a state-best 20 penalties.

With a 4-1 win over Kittson Central on Saturday night, East Grand Forks (6-3) rebounded from three losses in eight days to ranked opponents, including on Friday when No. 8-1A Hibbing/Chisholm recorded a 3-2 road victory. A week before, the No. 7-1A Green Wave traveled south to take on No. 2-1A Breck and No. 5-1A St. Paul Academy and did not fare well in dropping both games by a combined 16-4 score.

However, the talent on display in earlier wins, along with the skill level East Grand Forks possess, would indicate the team is going to get back on track and play its brand of winning hockey.

If the Green Wave want to take Bemidji down a peg in the standings and re-enter the race in the Mariucci, they have to hit their home ice as a hungry team ready to greet the Lumberjacks.