Elk River vs. Andover

2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20

It would be difficult to name a deeper section than Class 2A, Section 7.

No other section can boast that it has five teams ranked in the Class 2A coaches’ poll -- No. 1 Duluth East, No. 8  Duluth Marshall, No. 11 Elk River, No. 13 Andover and No. 16 Cloquet-Esko-Carlton -- meaning many of the playoff matchups could have a state tournament feel. 

While the Greyhounds are the lead dog in the pack, two metro programs are poised to make the path to a section title tough sledding for Duluth East.

Elk River (11-5, 3-3) could improve its chances at securing the second seed by completing a regular-season sweep of Andover on Saturday. The Elks beat the Huskies 5-1 on Jan. 2.

Andover (11-3, 4-1) has been a surprise this season, and the Huskies enter the week holding the No. 2 seed based on the Quality Results Formula, which will be used by section coaches for determining seeding this season. A victory on Saturday might announce that the Huskies are to be taken seriously, making their showdown with the Elks one to watch -- and the reason we selected it as our top game of the week.

Since the loss to Elk River, Andover has been impressive with three consecutive victories — Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (7-2 on Jan. 4), No. 9-2A Centennial (6-1 on Jan. 6) and Maple Grove (4-0 on Jan. 11). Huskies junior Charlie Schoen (13-16-29) picked up seven total points against the Cougars and the Lumberjacks.

The Elks had a six-game winning streak snapped by a 5-3 loss to Centennial last Saturday. Notre Dame commit Jack Perbix (12-26-38) was held scoreless against the Cougars, but will look to make some noise against Andover after notching a hat trick in the first game.

Things could again get physical between these Northwest Suburban Conference North Division rivals. There were 19 penalties in the first meeting and both teams had at least seven power-play opportunities.