Mahtomedi at Stillwater
7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28

Stillwater enters the week off an emotional victory over rival Hill-Murray, but steps outside the section and class Thursday to host Mahtomedi in this meeting of two titans of the northeast metro.

The No. 5-2A Ponies (17-1-1) have been impressive in all areas of the game, using speed and puck movement to get it done offensively, while the work of the defensive corps and goaltending is quietly being accomplished, as often happens when it's being completed using the fundamentals.

Up front, junior wing Noah Cates now has 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points, and his brother, senior center and captain Jackson Cates, has 15 goals and 41 points through 19 games.

On the second line, juniors Luke Manning and T.J. Saggisor have combined for 30 goals and 30 assists. In net, senior goalie Josh Benson has a .915 save percentage and 1.92 goals-against average while building a 14-1-1 record.

The No. 5-1A Zephyrs (12-5-0) are coming off a disappointing 6-1 loss Saturday at No. 1-1A Hermantown.

Mahtomedi has a challenging week that brings three road tests, starting with No. 8-1A St. Cloud Cathedral and ending at No. 9-2A Hill-Murray. In between is Thursday’s game at the St. Croix Valley Rec Center in Stillwater against the red-hot Ponies.

Junior forward Luke Posner (13-13-26) and senior Andrew Kangas (10-20-30) are the Zephyrs' two top producers.

Mahtomedi outshot Stillwater 44-20 en route to an 8-2 victory last year.