Grand Rapids vs. Minnetonka
7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2

Thursday's Class 2A showdown at Minnetonka High School ought to showcase some top-shelf individual talent, as well as a classic north versus south rivalry.  

Grand Rapids features two highly touted prospects in Blake McLaughlin and Gavin Hain

McLaughlin, a Minnesota recruit, finished with better than a point-per-game average this fall in the Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League and scored 12 goals in 20 games.

Hain also performed well in the Elite League, as the North Dakota commit produced 15 points in 16 games.

The No. 3-2A Thunderhawks will hope the junior forwards can capitalize on a Minnetonka defense that allowed three goals in the opening game. 

The No. 7-2A Skippers have good upside and potential for growth after adding new pieces to a group that outscored opponents in the regular season by nearly two goals per game (4.12 to 2.28) and won the Lake Conference last year.

While the defensive corps has been a strength, Minnetonka (0-1) took a hit when one of the its top defensemen, K’Andre Miller, opted to join to the United States National Team Development Program in Michigan.

The Skippers, however, have had one of the state's best Bantam AA programs in the past few years, which should allow for a quick reload of blue line talent. 

Forwards Joe Molenaar (12-13-25) and TJ Rogers (10-13-23) are two of Minnetonka's top returning scorers and are expected to lead the offense.