Edina has shown its mettle as the top-ranked team in Class 2A, outscoring its competition 29-5 through their first four games of the season.
The No. 1-2A Hornets (4-0) now bring that success to their home arena, where they’ll host their annual holiday tournament. Their game against Eden Prairie generally serves as the nightcap and is a community spectacle to see some of the west metro’s top talent.
That talent is largely tipped in favor of Edina this season, with five Division I commits and a bevy of other prospects on a Hornets roster that boasts six players with seven or more points. Arizona State signee Demetrios Koumontzis (3-7-10) leads the charge, followed by Minnesota commit Sammy Walker (2-7-9).
The Eagles (2-1) started the season on Dec. 2 with a 6-3 loss to No. 11-2A Cretin-Derham Hall but saw success in their inaugural North South Classic, where they beat No. 1-1A Hermantown 5-4 in overtime last Friday and downed Brainerd 5-2 the following day.
Junior Gophers commit Jack Jensen (2-4-6) will be leaned on to counter the Hornets’ high-flying offense. He had a goal and a pair of assists in the victory over Brainerd.
Last year, the Eagles won two of their three meetings with Edina, both at Braemar Arena, giving the Hornets extra motivation to avenge those losses in their first of three meetings with No. 12-2A Eden Prairie.