Blake, fresh off its thrilling, regionally televised 3-2 Hockey Day Minnesota triumph over Blaine outdoors at Parade Stadium on Saturday, now returns to the more mundane business of indoor hockey. But make no mistake, the No. 8-2A Bears will be fully inspired for this matchup that will have a major impact on seeding in the incredibly tough Class 2A, Section 6.
Five teams are desperate to avoid the section’s No. 4 or 5 seed, and the knee-knocking, bone-jarring quarterfinal game that comes with that distinction, and Blake (13-4-0, 3-0-0) and Benilde-St. Margaret’s (8-6-2, 1-1-0) are in that group. A victory here could launch the winner all the way to the No. 1 seed, the loser could get that dreaded quarterfinal-of-death draw.
Minnesota commit Joe Miller, a junior forward with a team-best 38 points, is the straw that stirs the Bears’ offense. He scored the winner Saturday against Blaine late in the third period. Senior defenseman Nate Schweitzer, a Colorado College commit and potential NHL Draft pick, leads the Red Knights with 21 points.