Mahtomedi at St. Thomas Academy
7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 7

Mahtomedi and St. Thomas Academy each enter Thursday’s meeting in Mendota Heights with legitimate ambitions of gaining ground on Hill-Murray (8-4, 4-0) in the race for the Metro East Conference crown.

This is the first of two meetings this season between the Zephyrs and Cadets, who will eventually head off to different section tournaments.

Mahtomedi (9-3-0, 3-1) are perhaps the favorite in Class 1A, Section 4, while St. Thomas Academy is a contender in Class 2A, Section 3.

The defense and goaltending continue to be the backbone for the No. 5-1A Zephyrs. In net, senior Will Swanson has a 2.10 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage in building a 7-3 record. Offensively, Mahtomedi is led by junior forward Luke Posner, who has 12 goals and 23 points in 12 games.

The No. 14-2A Cadets enter the new year playing some of their best hockey against good teams after a so-so start. St. Thomas Academy (7-2-3, 3-0) have a win and a tie over Wayzata in the past two weeks, as well as a 4-2 win over Centennial and a 1-1 tie against Edina in the Schwan Cup Gold Division.

Senior forward Billy Jerry leads the Cadets with 10 goals and 20 points.