Blaine at Edina
7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5

Blaine at Edina is an early season meeting between two of the metro’s top teams offering plenty of skill on both sides. It’s also the first time the teams have played since Dec. 28, 2012.

Edina is fielding a younger team than a season ago, but the No. 6-2A Hornets are stocked with talent that is expected to grow significantly as the season progresses. Edina features two sophomore forwards who have committed to the Gophers in Sam Walker and converted defenseman Clayton Philips.

The Hornets' only loss this season came at the hands of Wayzata in the Cable 12 Turkey Trot Tournament final on Nov. 21, but they have bounced back with wins over No. 17-2A Farmington (7-0) and Burnsville (4-3).

Blaine, meanwhile, looks to have the veteran talent to make this season a memorable one. Senior forward Riley Tufte is back in Bengals’ blue after playing 14 games in the USHL this fall prior to the high school season. Senior Luke Notermann returns after a successful stint in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League, where he tallied a league-leading 18 goals. Through two games this season, Notermann has five goals and two assists for seven points for No. 8-2A Blaine.

Tufte was recently named to the Star Tribune’s preseason metro dream team, and is listed on the NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch list as a potential first-round draft pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.