Hilltopper Holiday Preview

Howie Hanson – Howies Blog

UMDHockey.COM

SUPERIOR VS. MANKATO WEST, 1 P.M.
Superior Spartans
Superior (3-6) has lost three straight, including a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to Hudson last Tuesday at Wessman Arena. Spartans team stats: scoring 2.78 goals per game, allowing 3.56, 20-percent PP, 83.8 PK. Scoring leaders: Matthew Hinaus and Troy Schold, seven points apiece. Starting goaltender Peyton Flanders: 3.56 gaa, .868 svs. pct.

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Mankato West
Mankato West (5-3-1) has won two of its last three, including an 8-1 home victory over Austin last Tuesday. The Scarlets are 5-1-1 in the Big Nine Conference, good for first-place with 11 points. Senior Austin Langworthy has a team-high 15 goals and 18 points. Goaltender Conor Wollenzien is 5-3-1 (2.26, .915).

DELANO VS. EAST GRAND FORKS, 3:15 P.M.
Delano
Delano’s (7-1) lone loss was 6-1 at Breck, on Nov. 25. The Tigers have since reeled off six straight victories, including a 5-0 home win against Hutchinson on Dec. 19. Senior forward Dan Keranen has a team-high nine goals, and sophomore forward Ben Meyers a team-leading 16 points. Senior goaltender Tyler Rizzardi is 7-1-0 (2.0, .929)

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East Grand Forks
Minnesota’s third-ranked team is 7-2 overall, and is riding high following an impressive 6-2 home victory over Warroad on Dec. 19. The Green Wave are led by University of North Dakota recruit Dixon Bowen, a prized forward who leads his team with 12 goals and 22 points. Junior forward Tanner Tweten, another top college prospect, has six goals and 16 points, including a pair of goals and three points in the Warroad victory. Senior goaltender Josh Weber is 6-1-0 (1.93, .894)

DULUTH MARSHALL VS. MADISON EDGEWOOD, 5:45 P.M.
Duluth Marshall
The second-ranked Hilltoppers are 9-0 following an impressive 3-2 home victory over Benilde-St. Margaret’s on Tuesday. The Hilltoppers are scoring 4.44 goals per game, while giving up ony 1.67. Senior goaltender Alex Murray is 7-0-0 (1.68, .930). Defensemen Lane Krenzen and Jordan Fralich have 10 points each, and forwards Derek Farrell and John McKenna have combined for 29 points.

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Madison Edgewood
Madison Edgewood (7-1) is led by sophomore forward Grant Reichenbacher, who leads his team with 10 goals and 23 points. Senior Max Schauff (3-1-0, 1.69, .895) and 6-foot-3 junior Tommy Mohs (4-0-0, 0.89, .951) give the Badger South Conference leaders strong goaltending

HERMANTOWN VS. NOTRE DAME ACADEMY, 8 P.M.
Hermantown
The pre-tourney favorite Hawks (7-2), Minnesota’s No. 1 team Class A, feature a bevy of sniping forwards, stay-at-home solid defenders and goaltending from junior Luke Olson (6-1-0, 1.94, .904). Senior linemates Ryan Kero (21 points) and Nate Pionk (18) are 1-2 in team scoring. Junior defenseman Wyatt Aamodt (10 points) is a top Division I prospect.

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Notre Dame Academy
The Tritons (5-4) are led by Michigan State recruit Collin Appleton, a 6-foot-3, 193-pound forward who leads his team with six goals and 13 points. Notre Dame Academy defeated Superior 4-1 on Nov. 29 and Madison Edgewood 2-0 Dec. 6. Five-foot-8, 145-pound freshman forward Bryce Poshak has seven goals — including two on the power-play — and 10 points, second highest on the team.