Luverne vs. St. Paul Johnson
Hockey Day Minnesota at St. Paul’s Holman Field
10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17

While No. 4-2A Hill-Murray versus No. 3-2A St. Thomas Academy draws the feature matchup at Hockey Day Minnesota, the opening act should be intriguing, as No. 15-1A Luverne (15-2-0) brings its high-powered offense up against St. Paul Johnson (8-5-1) and longtime goaltender Sam Moberg (8-5-1, 2.55, .906).

The Cardinals are hammering away at opponents at a state-leading 8.47 goals per game. Luverne is led by two of the state’s highest-scoring players in junior Chaz Smedsrud (27-42-69) and freshman Jaxon Nelson (31-31-62). Nelson could challenge the state's all-time scoring records should he stay through his senior season.

But they’re not the only young Cardinals lighting the lamp at a record-breaking pace. Freshmen Nick Harder (16-18-34) and Kasyn Kruse (14-15-29) and sophomore Nick Behrend (13-13-26) are among Luverne’s high-powered kiddie corps.

Meanwhile, Johnson is allowing just 2.57 goals per game behind Moberg and an improving defense. The Governors aren’t a high-scoring team, so it will be important for coach Moose Younghan’s team to keep the Cardinals off the board early.