Eden Prairie at Benilde-St. Margaret's
7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11

This is a big matchup for obvious reasons, and of course, it is the first time the two programs have met since last February’s brawl that erupted in the closing seconds of the Class 2A, Section 6 semifinal at Braemar Ice Arena.

But these teams are comprised of different components than those of last season, and don’t expect the fight to hang over this matchup, which will showcase two of the state's finest offensive units.

Eden Prairie, which prevailed in that fiery section semifinal and eventually reached the state semifinals, is the consensus top-ranked team in Class 2A this season. The Eagles have not disappointed, rolling up a 3-0 record with wins over No. 15-2A Prior Lake, No. 19-2A Farmington and Maple Grove. 

Junior forward Casey Mittelstadt, a Gophers recruit, has a team-leading five goals and eight points this season. Senior forward and captain Cole Lawrence has three goals and six assists to lead the team in points with nine through three games.

Benilde-St. Margaret's, meanwhile, enters the week with a 5-0 record, a mark that includes impressive wins over Duluth Marshall (8-2), No. 7-2A Grand Rapids (4-3) and Burnsville (4-3). Most recently, the No. 3-2A Red Knights turned a lot of heads by having their way with No. 4-2A Hill-Murray, which Benilde-St. Margaret's overwhelmed en route to a 5-1 victory.

On the season, the Red Knights are averaging six goals per game while allowing just 1.4. That stat line is made even more impressive considering the list of opponents it was earned upon.

Benilde-St. Margaret's already has six players with at least three goals and 11 different goal scorers. Senior forward Cade Gleekel leads the team with six goals and 10 points in four games. Teammate Auggie Moore has five goals and eight points in five games.

These teams met three times last year and split the regular-season games before Eden Prairie won the rubber match 1-0 in the section playoff game.