St. Thomas Academy at Mahtomedi
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3

While the inaugural Metro East Conference race was expected to come down to Class 2A powers No. 3 St. Thomas Academy (18-2-0) and No. 4 Hill-Murray, one of the smallest schools in the circuit has put a possible crimp in those plans. No. 3-1A Mahtomedi (18-2-2) knocked off the conference-leading Pioneers 4-0 a week ago and now have a chance to do the same to the Cadets.

It will be tough, however, as St. Thomas Academy earned an 8-1 win over Mahtomedi on Jan. 8, just the second loss of the season for the Zephyrs. Will Jerry (17-17-34) and Peter Tufto (22-32-54) each notched hat tricks as the Cadets cruised to the big victory. Tufto leads St. Thomas Academy in points, but trails linemate Alec Broetzman (25-26-51) in goals. Christiano Versich (17-34-51) rounds out the Cadets’ potent top line.

Slowing them will be key for Mahtomedi, which does have scoring balance with six double-digit goal scorers and 10 players with double-digit points, led by Jack Becker (18-24-42), Jack Heinsch (16-17-33) and Kellen Campbell (10-18-28).