Welcome back Wilderness Nation for another week of the Minnesota High School Highlight. There is finally some light at the end of the tunnel, as this is the week that the High School Hockey season finally gets underway! I know it has been a long wait but we are finally here. While none of the expected heavy hitters are starting their season on the first day, we will not have to wait long to see them in action.
With 11 games scheduled for opening day and 9 games the following day, there is plenty to look forward to. Things kick off at the All Seasons Arena in Mankato where Mankato East defends the home ice against Albert Lea. While not one of the biggest matchups of the year, the first one is always excited as this could be the turning point for one of these programs. Get off to the right start and who knows what one team can accomplish during the season. Last year’s cindarella stories were Grand Rapids and Luverne, maybe this year it can be one of the other teams playing on the 20th. The rest of the games on the docket for opening night are as follows.
Minneapolis vs. Waconia
New Ulm vs. Worthington
Dodge County vs. St. Paul Como Park
Bemidji vs. St. Cloud Apollo
Austin vs. Mankato West
La Crescent vs. Winona
Northfield vs. Rochester Mayo
Farmington vs Rochester John Marshall
St. Paul Academy vs. Simley
Provience Academy vs. Holy Angels.
Friday night is when things really begin to heat up. While there are two fewer games we are looking at the season opener for Edina, as they look to start fast against Holy Family at home. It should be no surprise that Edina is the heavy favorite, not only for this game but also the foreseeable future. Greenway and Hibbing/Chisholm get the northern half of the state going that night as well. In the closing game of the night, and what could be the most interesting game of the night, Maple Grove heads to Wayzata. The full list of games for Friday are:
Holy Family vs. Edina
New Prague vs. St. Cloud Cathedral
Greeway vs. Mound Westonka
River Lakes vs. Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato
Prairie Center vs. Monticello
Little Falls vs. Hibbing/Chisholm
Breckenridge/Wahpeton vs. Northern Lakes
Achiever Academy vs. Detroit Lakes
Maple Grove vs. Wayzata