Stillwater at Holy Family Catholic
3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1

In a contest worthy of consideration for this week's top game, Stillwater makes the long trek west to Victoria to face Holy Family Catholic in a matchup featuring squads ranked in Class 2A’s top five. 

Winners of 12 straight games, Holy Family Catholic (19-3-1, 7-0-0) continues to build its program and has become a giant in a hurry. The No. 4-ranked Fire boast a talented roster that is averaging 3.5 more goals per game than its opponents while also converting on the penalty kill at 84 percent.

Junior forward Ben Almquist, a Wisconsin commit, leads Holy Family Catholic with 17 goals and 46 points. In goal, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Jared Moe has been outstanding, posting a 1.48 goals-against average, a .922 save percentage and four shutouts. 

Stillwater (19-3-0, 13-1-0) hit a rough patch in late January with losses to No. 17-2A White Bear Lake (2-1), No. 1-2A Eden Prairie (4-1) and No. 6-2A Lakeville North (3-2).

The No. 5-2A Ponies have regained momentum since the start of February, scoring 26 goals in three wins against non-ranked opponents. But this week could test Stillwater's resolve, with games against Suburban East Conference rivals Cretin-Derham Hall and White Bear Lake (which is also a Section 4 foe) proceeding Saturday's showdown. 

Noah Cates (18-38-56) and Matthew Stanton (21-23-44) are each averaging more than two points a game for Stillwater. The Ponies have been backed by goalie Seth Eisele, who has a .926 save percentage, 1.34 goals-against average and a 17-3 record with five shutouts.