While the Metro East Conference is being driven by Hill-Murray, Hastings and Tartan remain in the rearview mirror.
Hastings is outscoring opponents by more than three goals a game and features four players who have at least six goals, led by Chase Freiermuth (9-5-14).
Backstopped by Tyler McCarville's 1.00 goals-against average, .962 save percentage and a state-best five shutouts, the Raiders (9-2, 5-1) are fresh off winning the South St. Paul Premier Tournament in which they gave up just four goals in three games, including a 4-3 win over Eagan on Dec. 28.
If Tartan wants to keep its position near the top of the conference standings, it'll need to look to Landen Schwantes (6-10-16) to crack the Raiders defense on Saturday.
The Titans (7-5, 3-1), who recorded a 2-1 home victory over Anoka on Jan. 5, visit Mahtomedi — which sits in second place in the Metro East standings — Thursday before facing Hastings.