It’s safe to say that Trent Klatt’s biggest problem is one that most high school hockey coaches wouldn’t mind too much.

Klatt must decide between outstanding junior goaltenders Zach Stejskal and Gabe Holum on a game-by-game basis, and the first two contests of the Edina Holiday Classic have perfectly illustrated that Klatt’s problem is a good one to have. 

One night after Stejskal denied 42 shots by Edina in a 5-3 win, Holum turned in his own spectacular performance, swatting away 25 shots en route to a 3-1 victory over Eden Prairie.  

“On a majority of high school teams, (either) would be the starting goalie,” Klatt said after the win, adding that neither junior has openly complained about sharing the role. 

“You can’t believe how much these two guys have been together the past four, five, six, seven years,” Klatt said. “They’re really good friends, and believe it or not, the dads are even better friends.”

The Thunderhawks, ranked No. 3 in the latest Class AA state coaches’ poll, carry that friendship trend to the offense, with the top line of Gavin Hain, Blake McLaughlin and Micah Miller displaying uncanny anticipation about each other’s offensive tendencies. 

McLaughlin finished Friday’s game against the No. 1-AA Eagles with a goal and an assist, giving him 10 goals and 22 points through seven games this season. 

The Minnesota commit says that his connection with Hain dates back to their middle school days. 

“We’ve been on a line since Peewees, so we’ve got good chemistry out there,” McLaughlin said. 

Hain, a North Dakota commit, has nine goals and 20 points this season, while St. Cloud State commit Miller has totaled seven goals and 20 points. 

The one thing the trio hasn’t mastered yet, according to Klatt, is time management on the ice. 

“When they stay on the ice for over a minute, their intensity level (drops),” Klatt said, adding that the three had improved their shift time during Friday’s first period. 

Off the ice, McLaughlin admits that he couldn’t play all 17 minutes of a period, although his spirited play throughout Friday’s game says otherwise.   

“I think it’d be hard,” McLaughlin said with a chuckle. “You can only go 45 seconds hard without losing your legs.”

The Thunderhawks will continue to try to keep their legs today against Section 7-AA foe Elk River.