St. Paul Academy vs. Breck
3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7

This rivalry dates back 50 years, staring with games in the old Catholic high school league and now in the IMAC, and no matter when or where the game is played, a victory is a matter of pride for both teams. 

This year, though, with Breck ranked No. 4 and St. Paul Academy ranked No. 3 in the Class 1A coaches’ poll, the stakes are even higher in this Saturday afternoon matinee at Breck School Anderson Ice Arena in Golden Valley.

Breck (6-3-1, 1-0) worked through the Silver Division of the Schwan Cup last weekend, drawing with St. Michael-Albertville in the final before taking home the championship via shootout. The Mustangs have been steady, scoring 4.00 goals per game, with seniors Mitch Machlitt (12-5-17) and Carter Breitenfeldt (8-13-21) providing the bulk of the offense with 20 combined goals.

St. Paul Academy (7-1-0) is averaging 5.50 goals per game. Over the holiday break, the Spartans sliced through some northwestern competition (Crookston, Thief River Falls, Fargo North) at the Ralph Engelstad Classic for three wins by a combined score of 22-4.

Matt Dahlseide (12-11-23) is having an outstanding senior season to lead a St. Paul Academy team full of veteran goal scorers.