Hill-Murray at Bemidji
6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26

Hill-Murray's confidence might be shaken after last Saturday's loss to rival Stillwater in a game of moderate section seeding significance, but don’t expect the No. 9-2A Pioneers (13-5-1) to lament for too long.

With a road trip to Bemidji scheduled for Tuesday, Hill-Murray simply cannot afford to let things fester, and the Pioneers have the talent to ensure that it does not.

The No. 11-2A Lumberjacks (14-2-2) present their own set of challenges. Bemidji is averaging 4.65 goals per game while allowing just 1.72, and its penalty kill is working at 88.5 percent.

Sophomore goaltender Matt Fitzgerald has stopped .915 percent of the shots he’s faced. He also has a 1.76 goals-against average and an 11-2-2 individual record.

The loss to the No. 5-2A Ponies was the first of the new year for the Pioneers and ended a run that included wins over No. 6-2A Blaine and No. 15-2A St. Thomas Academy, as well as a tie with No. 10-2A Edina.

HIll-Murray is a solid and well-rounded team with two “top” lines and a combination of defensemen and goaltending that allows the Pioneers to skate with anyone when they have things figured out.

Marko Reifenberger leads the team with 15 goals and 27 points, while Luke Ranallo (12-12-24) and Dylan Mills (11-11-22) have proven to be reliable goal scorers through 19 games.