Blake at Orono
7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11

Two expected Class 1A contenders badly in need of a victory clash Thursday night when No. 13-1A Blake (1-3-0) visits No. 8-1A Orono (0-3-0). With one combined victory in six games, neither team is where it wants to be the second week of December, although the losses have all come to highly regarded opponents. This Class 1A, Section 2 battle could set the loser back considerably.

Blake was shut out 5-0 last Friday by a surging Duluth Marshall team in the Bears' only game of the week. Scoring goals has been an issue for Blake, as only five players have a goal on the season, led by Mark Lyman (5-2-7) and Eddie Chute (3-1-4). The rest of the Bears have combined for four goals.

Orono is in a similar situation, with only four goals total in three road losses to Stillwater, Hermantown and Duluth Marshall — two of which were in the state tournament last year, as was Orono. The Spartans do have one of the state’s top goaltenders in Jon Flakne (0-3-0, 4.33, .880).