Bemidji vs. Alexandria
7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24

Two of the surprise contenders in the northwest corner of the state have nothing left to prove this season, but when No. 9-2A Bemidji (14-3-1) visits No. 5-1A Alexandria (13-0-1) Saturday night, the winner will get a confidence boost.

Bemidji surged into the state’s consciousness with a 14-game winning streak that finally ended last week. The Lumberjacks have lost two straight, though, falling to two top-ranked Class 1A teams (4-1 at East Grand Forks and 6-1 to Hermantown). The 10 total goals allowed in those two games are as many as Bemidji gave up in the previous 10 games combined. On the season, the ‘Jacks have given up just 1.44 goals per game on average, which resulted in big numbers from goaltenders Grant Tharaldson (10-1-1, 1.43, .920) and Garret Atteberry (4-1-0, 1.76, .890).

Alexandria also has one of the state’s stingiest defenses, allowing 1.64 goals per game. The Cardinals are also one of two remaining unbeaten teams (along with No. 1-2A Lakeville North) in the state, winning 11 straight games since a 4-4 tie to St. Cloud Apollo on Dec. 4. That’s the only time the Cardinals have given up more than three goals all season. Alec Wosepka (14-4-18) and Ryan Marciniak (8-10-18) lead the team in scoring.