Benilde-St. Margaret's

vs. Chaska

2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19

Benilde-St. Margaret's and Chaska are trying to prove themselves as legitimate threats to the typical top-tier programs garnering plenty of attention. Both have wins against good programs, but also need to establish more consistency before either can claim more of the spotlight.

The Red Knights beat Hermantown 3-2 on Dec. 8, Wayzata 6-3 on Dec. 28 and Hill-Murray 1-0 on Jan. 5, but also lost to Edina, St. Thomas Academy, Moorhead and Minnetonka.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s (10-5, 0-1) is pretty middle-of-the-road statistically, but has a standout in Blake Mesenburg, who leads the team in goals and assists (13-14-27). He will be counted on to help the Red Knights find wins down in the second half their regular season schedule, which includes a second game against Chaska and another at Eden Prairie. 

The No. 10-2A Hawks (10-5, 1-0) enter the week on a six-game winning streak, fueled by the No. 5 scoring offense in the state at 5.13 goals per game. They've needed the scoring because they've allow at least three goals in five of their wins and all of their five losses.

Chaska boasts a 6-3 win against No. 8-2A Eden Prairie on Dec. 27 and a 4-3 victory over No. 3-2A Edina on Dec. 29, but it also lost at Eveleth-Gilbert and Buffalo.  The Hawks will need to avoid stumbling while finishing the regular season with a slate of games against the competition in an improved Metro West Conference.

Eight Hawks have at least four goals, led by Rhett Pitlick (15), and Mike Koster leads the team with 22 assists, giving Chaska plenty of options to key its high-powered attack.