Red Wing vs. Northfield

7:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15

The latest chapter in the rivalry between Red Wing and Northfield will be written Thursday.

Last year’s Class 1A, Section 1 final between the teams was decided in the second session of overtime, when Northfield netted the game-winner and advanced to its first state tournament. 

While Red Wing (5-15-2, 5-6-2) has just five wins on the season, one was a 5-2 victory over the Raiders on Nov. 28. Cam Blue (19-9-28) notched two goals and an assist that game, and the Wingers would like nothing better than to keep Northfield from claiming a third straight conference title. It’ll prove difficult, however, to repeat November’s victory on the road.

The Raiders (17-5-1, 13-3-0) are riding a nine-game unbeaten streak and are one of Class 1A’s best on special teams. Northfield, ranked No. 17 in the Class 1A coaches' poll, has converted at 41.7 percent on the power play, while hindering its competition with a state-best 94.3 penalty-kill percentage.

Northfield extended its lead atop the Big 9 Conference standings last Thursday with a 1-0 victory over a surging Rochester Century team that had won 10 in a row. The Raiders hold a four-point lead in the league title race and can clinch at least a share of the crown with a win Thursday.

Class 1A’s top freshman scorer, Carson Van Zulien (20-26-46), has meshed with the Raiders first-team power play, scoring seven goals and adding 11 assists on the man-advantage this season.