Wayzata vs. Edina

7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17

Edina attended nine straight state tournaments before being realigned into Class 2A, Section 6 two years ago. Since then, the Hornets haven’t been to the Xcel Energy Center, and the main culprit of Edina’s postseason demise has been Wayzata — a team that also shares a home with the Hornets in the Lake Conference.

The Trojans defeated the Hornets in last season's section final and in the semifinals the year before.

Looking to avoid a third consecutive postseason loss and show it is the team to beat this season, Edina can possibly plant a seed of doubt in Wayzata's collective mind by sweeping the regular-season series with Trojans — an accomplishment the Hornets can achieve with a win on Saturday.

Edina defeated Wayzata 3-1 on Feb. 1 amid a 13-game winning streak, one that ended with a 5-3 loss to Minnetonka on Saturday. The No. 1-2A Hornets (21-2, 5-1) enter the final week of the regular season tied with the No. 2-2A Skippers atop the Lake Conference standings, meaning Saturday’s regular-season finale will factor into deciding the league title and could provide Edina with momentum heading into the postseason.

Edina’s offensive roadshow has averaged a state-high 6.74 goals per game behind a group of seven skaters who each have at least 25 points. The Hornets offense has helped smother most threats on the other end, where the defense is Class 2A’s sixth stingiest (1.83 goals per game). Goalie Garrett Mackay has been the Hornets' backstop and was crucial in their first win over Wayzata. He stopped 22 shots through the first two periods, allowing Edina to build a three-goal lead before the No. 10-2A Trojans netted their lone score.

Air Force commit Griffin Ness (17-18-35), a four-year letter winner for Wayzata (14-8-1, 5-3-2), was held scoreless in the loss to the Hornets. He's got seven goals in the three games since and could become a bane for Edina if he keeps his nose to the net.