Wayzata at Hill-Murray
7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5

An intriguing early season matchup between two top-5 Class 2A teams that are both seasoned and physical, Wayzata at Hill-Murray has the potential to offer a contest with all the grit, fire and intensity that hockey fans usually have to wait until February to see.

The No. 5-2A Trojans have come back to Earth after earning two emotional victories in their holiday event, the Cable 12 Turkey Trot Tournament at Plymouth Ice Arena. Wayzata defeated Maple Grove 4-3 in overtime before topping No. 6-2A Edina 4-2 in the championship game.

Since then, the Trojans have dropped two straight during a weekend trip north over the Thanksgiving break. No.1-1A Hermantown got the best of them in a 5-3 victory on Nov. 27, and a 4-1 loss to No. 7-2A Duluth East followed on Nov. 28.

When Wayzata comes to town, it will be the second contest in a week against a top-10 team from the west metro for Hill-Murray.

The No. 4-2A Pioneers enter the week with a 1-0 record, having earned a 4-3 come-from-behind victory at Burnsville on No. 21.

Freshman Ben Helgeson scored twice in his varsity debut against the Blaze.

On defense, senior Casey Staum, a Nebraska-Omaha recruit, was recently named to the Star Tribune’s preseason metro dream team and was one of 12 prep skaters listed on the NHL Central Scouting watch list for the 2016 draft.