Centennial at Blaine
7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 14

Twice this week Blaine will find itself in games with a direct effect on the Class 2A, Section 5 seedings and the Northwest Suburban Conference North Division title chase.

Two days before Saturday's showdown with Elk River, the Bengals have their rematch with rival Centennial in a game made even more sweet with the stakes heightened. The No. 18-2A Cougars currently hold first place in the league standings by half a point over the No. 2-2A Bengals and the No. 7-2A Elks.

Blaine (12-2-0, 4-1-0) won the first meeting 4-2 on Dec. 10. 

After going 0-3 in the Schwan Cup Gold Division Tournament over the winter break, Centennial (8-5-1, 4-1-1) has responded with convincing conference victories over Osseo and No. 17-2A Anoka.

Bengals senior forward Riley Tufte, a Minnesota-Duluth commit and projected first-round draft pick in this summer’s NHL draft, has 23 goals and 40 points through 13 games.