Bloomington Kennedy at Minneapolis
3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6

In a game of significance in Class 1A, Section 2, Bloomington Kennedy travels to Parade Ice Arena on Saturday to face Minneapolis in a matchup of teams representing programs of immense tradition and talent that also have ambitions to write a new chapter in their respective folklores.

Class 1A, Section 2 might be the most talented in the state, with six of the 10 teams currently ranked or receiving votes.

Breck ought to be considered the favorite, followed by Delano, though teams like Kennedy and Minneapolis, along with Blake and Orono, promise to ensure whichever one eventually wins this section will be battle-hardened.

The Eagles (11-11-0) enter the week having been outscored 21-1 in losses to Chanhassen (4-1), No. 1-2A Benilde-St. Margaret’s (12-0) and Bloomington Jefferson (5-0).

The No. 20-1A Novas have a precious three games left to get things worked out before the section tournament begins, though Minneapolis went 4-2-2 in January. The Novas now have freshman Jake Hale (14-5-19) back in the lineup after a three-week absence as a result of an injury suffered at the Schwan Cup Open Division Championship game.

Hale joins sophomore Jacob Erickson and senior Max Kjome as the team's top goal scorers.

Minneapolis won the first meeting 3-1 on Nov. 28 as Hale scored twice and assisted on the Novas' other goal.