No. 6 Blaine at No. 3 Hill-Murray
7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5
At Aldrich Arena, Maplewood
MN Hockey Hub Spotlight Game

This could very well be a preview of a Class 2A state tournament game, as the favorite in Section 5AA (Blaine) visits the favorite in Section 4AA (Hill-Murray). Both have lost only three games all year, all to ranked opponents. Blaine enters on a six-game winning streak, led by speedy Joey Lau (10-24-34) and Tyler Cline (22-8-30). But it’s also been sparked by the play of senior goaltender Andrew Houle (8-0-0, 1.48, .917), who has started the past four games and has yet to lose in eight starts this winter. Meanwhile, Hill-Murray has won eight of its last nine games, with only a stumble against Classic Suburban rival St. Thomas Academy in that stretch. St. Cloud State recruit Mitch Slattery (14-22-36) anchors a balanced and deep Pioneers’ lineup.