Minnetonka vs. Moorhead

6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16

These two Class 2A contenders caught a glimpse of each other in The Opener at Bloomington Ice Garden two weeks ago, but the teams didn’t meet in the festival. Saturday, that'll change and one team will likely improve its ranking at the Moorhead Sports Center.

Minnetonka, ranked third in Class 2A, passed its first major road test of the season when it defeated No. 16-2A Duluth Marshall 5-3 on Dec. 9, in Duluth. But the road gets even tougher this week when the Skippers travel 230 miles north to take on No. 5-2A Moorhead.

After a seven-year state tournament drought, Minnetonka (4-0-1) looks for a signature win from its meeting with the Spuds, who took second at last season's state tournament.

Minnetonka's Mr. Hockey candidate Luke Loheit tallied a goal and two assists in the win over the Hilltoppers and has five goals and five assists on the season. His physicality, and two-way ability should set the tone for his teammates who were battled tested in The Opener, where the Skippers beat No. 4-2A St. Thomas Academy 5-4 in overtime before tying No. 15-2A Lakeville North 2-2.

Moorhead split games at the festival, as it defeated the Panthers 4-2 and fell to the Cadets 7-4. After Lance Leonard surrendered six goals to St. Thomas Academy, the senior goaltender has stopped 52 of 54 shots he's faced. He’ll need to be at his best against a Skippers team that’s averaged five goals per game.

First-liners Carter Randklev (9-2-11), Jack Stetz (2-8-10) and Cole O’Connell (2-5-7) all present a challenge for Minnetonka’s defense.