Year after year, Moorhead is one of the state's perennial Class 2A title contenders. This year figures to be no different, and in pursuit of a championship, the Spuds loaded their schedule with top-tier opponents, including reigning Class 2A state champion Minnetonka, which hosts Saturday's contest that is our Top Game of the Week.
Both teams are familiar with what it takes to succeed at a state championship level. Minnetonka, ranked No. 1 in the Class 2A state coaches' poll dated Dec. 5, won its first title last season, with a 5-2 victory over Duluth East.
Moorhead has reached three championship games in the last 15 years — most recently in 2017 when it fell to Grand Rapids — and the Spuds have made it to a section final each year since 2002.
The Spuds (3-1, 1-0) have four players with at least four points and five who boast two or more goals. Kyler Kleven leads the team with seven points (1 goal, 6 assists), while Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe (2-4-6) and Nolan Westra (3-3-6) each have six points.
Goaltenders Hudson Hodges and Ethan Miller have split time almost evenly, and each has a save percentage above .950.
Minnetonka (5-0, 0-0) recorded a 4-1 road victory over Moorhead in the regular season a year ago, extending an interesting trend in this yearly matchup: The visitor has won in each of the last four matchups, which the Spuds and Skippers have split.
Ten Skippers have at least four points, with Grant Docter (2-7-9), Josh Luedkte (2-6-8), Hunter Newhouse (3-6-9) and Jack Bayless (4-6-10) leading the way. Griffin Streeter has a team-high six goals.
Skippers goalie Charlie Glockner owns a 0.80 goals-against average and has a .937 save percentage to go with one shutout on the season.