Mankato East vs. Mankato West
7:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19

When these crosstown rivals meet, the game is big enough to be moved into the confines of the Verizon Wireless Center in downtown Mankato.

Mankato East faces Mankato West on Thursday in the first of two Big 9 Conference contests, with the Cougars and Scarlets looking for some separation in the league standings. Both teams enter the week in a three-way tie with Rochester John Marshall for second place behind Northfield. 

Mankato East has emerged as a frontrunner in Class 1A, Section 1. The No. 20-ranked Cougars (8-4-3, 4-2) have seen steady production (4.27 goals for to 2.73 against) and convert on the power play at 27 percent. 

Junior defenseman Jake Anderson (6-22-28) and senior forward Nick Salzle (6-16-22) are two Mankato East skaters with more than 20 points on the season.

Mankato West (7-6, 4-2) has been the model of inconsistency this year, never winning nor losing more than two consecutive games. That said, the Scarlets have won four of their last six dating back to Christmas, and senior forwards Kyle Looft (6-13-19) and Jimmy Miller (8-7-15) have been the top offensive producers.