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Top games: Edina, Hill-Murray to play twice in the top-5 Class 2A matchup.

By Jack Butler, SportsEngine, 01/31/22, 8:00AM CST

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Feb 4: The Hornets and the Pioneers will test their title aspirations in two games this week.


Photo by SportsEngine

We task our reporters with identifying several intriguing games throughout the state to assemble our Top Games of the Week. The matchups are presented in no particular order, and when there are additional games we want to highlight, we’ll include them with brief notes.

*All stats as of Jan. 30. 

Edina vs. Hill-Murray

7 p.m., Friday, Feb 4.

Edina and Hill-Murray are not in the same conference or section, but they both have Class 2A state title aspirations, so it’s worth noting when they meet. Especially if they meet twice in one week. They will play Friday and Saturday, so we’ll have a good idea of where these two teams stand by Sunday.

Hill-Murray, ranked No. 3-2A in the Jan. 19 Class 2A coaches’ poll, has outscored opponents 59-16 over the past 10 games. The Pioneers lost to No. 1-2A Andover and tied with No. 9-2A Grand Rapids over that span, but they have quality wins over Simley, Mahtomedi, Stillwater and St. Thomas Academy. 

None of those teams have the resume of No. 5-2A Edina, but the Hornets are on a two game losing streak. They lost 1-0 to No. 6-2A Wayzata on Jan. 27 and 4-2 against No. 13-2A Eden Prairie on Jan. 29. Back-to-back against Hill-Murray is not an easy road for Edina to try and find its way again. Even a 1-1 series split could give the Hornets the confidence to finish a tough Lake Conference schedule with a few wins.


Little Falls vs. Alexandria

7:15 p.m., Monday, Jan 31.

If you blink, you might miss a goal in this top-15 ranked Class 1A matchup. You did if you watched their game on Dec. 7 when Alexandria defeated Little falls 7-6 in overtime. Little Falls is averaging 6.3 goals per game this season, by far the best in Class 1A. Alexandria’s 4.1 goals per game might look pedestrian against such a gaudy number from Little Falls, but it’s one of the better averages in the class. 

Alexandria will have to defend three of the state’s top scorers on Monday. Matt Filippi is tied for second in the state in points with 66 (34 goals, 32 assists), according to stats entered in MN Hockey Hub. Hayden Johnson is not far behind him with 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists), good for fifth in the state. Carter Oothoudt is not to be forgotten with 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) at 24th in the state. While Little Falls, No. 5-1A in the Jan. 26 Class 1A coaches’ poll, scores plenty, it does let the puck pass the goal line 2.6 times per game. 

Alexandria could take advantage. Josiah Gronholz leads No. 11-1A Alexandria in points with 37 (15 goals, 22 assists), and Tyler Kludt is close to leading the team in assists with 21. Goaltender Teagan Pfeffer will be tested by Little Falls, and has a 3.15 goals-against average and .880 save percentage.


St. Cloud Cathedral vs. Mora/Milaca

7 p.m., Monday, Jan 31.

Little Falls’ Filippi is tied for second in the state with points, but the man above him is fellow Section 5, Class 1A member Parker Mitchell from Mora/Milaca. Mora/Milaca and St. Cloud Cathedral will play for position in the section, which could be important if either team is to challenge Little Falls or Cambridge-Isanti in the section tournament. 

Mora/Milaca could have the playmaker to pull the upsets later in the season. Mitchell has 44 goals and 28 assists in 20 games played. It’s an impressive number, perhaps even more so when compared to his teammate Jack Kritzeck, who is 12th in the state in points with 52 (20 goals, 32 assists), and he is still 20 points behind Mitchell. 

So St. Cloud Cathedral has a dynamic duo to defend. It is allowing 3.1 goals per game, so Mora/Milaca might have its fair share of chances. Goaltender Nick Hansen is not easy to get by, though. He has a .903 save percentage in 900 minutes played. Nolan Widman leads St. Cloud Cathedral in goals and assists with 14 and 16, respectively. 


Other games to keep an eye on

Maple Grove vs. Stillwater, Saturday, Feb 5, 3 p.m. Maple Grove is ranked No. 12-2A and Stillwater is No. 19-2A, so both teams will be hoping to improve their resume with a win. 

Mankato East/Loyola vs. Rochester Mayo, Saturday, Feb 5, 7:15 p.m. If No. 18-1A Mankato East/Loyola (7-3-0 in conference) is to jump back into Big 9 Conference contention, they need to defeat Rochester Mayo (6-0-0 conference). 


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The MN Hockey Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.

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