In one of the most storied rivalries in northeastern Minnesota, Duluth East meets Cloquet-Esko-Carlton for the 114th time on Feb. 5.
The Greyhounds own a 65-41-7 record against the Lumberjacks — whose 41 victories are most against a ‘Hounds program that’s ruled the area.
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton nearly added to its victory total but settled for a 6-6 overtime tie with Duluth East on Dec. 14. The No. 13-2A ‘Jacks (14-5-1, 2-0-0) could use a win to improve its Class 2A, Section 7 seeding in a deep playoff field.
Landon Langenbrunner (20-19-39) was a vital cog in Cloquet-Esko-Carlton’s power play that converted four of six chances with a man advantage in the first meeting. Langenbrunner tallied four points, including two goals and an assist on the power play.
Duluth East recorded its first loss of the season in a 4-3 final to No. 19-2A Eden Prairie on Jan. 13. The No. 4-2A ‘Hounds (15-1-3) have won six straight since and done so by a combined score of 40-7 behind the play of Garrett Worth (32-16-48). The senior forward is tied for second in the state with 32 goals after netting 10 in Duluth East’s past four games — with help from Ryder Donovan (10-34-44), who leads the state in assists.