Each week, the State of Hockey/Let’s Play Hockey will take a look at the top match-ups from around the state, which could include highly-ranked teams going head-to-head, games with possible section or conference implications, traditional rivalries or games with other interest. The first installment of the winter season has all of the above.

With only a few games in the books to start the 2017-18 Minnesota high school boys’ hockey season, most programs are still awaiting their first games of the year. As such, it’s the perfect time to unveil the first Top 5 Games of the Week story. 

Our top game of the week is actually a two-fer, as Wayzata makes a trek up Interstate 35 to visit northeastern Minnesota powers Hermantown and Duluth East this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2. The Trojans split with the two programs last season at home, beating the eventual Class A state champion Hawks but losing to Duluth East, which fell in the Section 7AA final to eventual Class AA state champion Grand Rapids. It’s likely all three programs will again have a say in who reaches — and eventually wins — this winter’s state championships.

1. Wayzata at Hermantown
7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1
Wayzata at Duluth East
3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2
We cheated a bit on the top game of the week, as we’re picking Wayzata’s northern Minnesota swing this coming weekend. The Trojans play at two-time defending Class A champion Hermantown on Friday night, then visit No. 2AA-ranked Duluth East Saturday afternoon at Heritage Arena. 

It’s a tough test for Wayzata, which went 0-1-1 in its opening weekend Turkey Trot at the Plymouth Ice Center. The Trojans outplayed and outshot Maple Grove last Friday night but couldn’t solve goaltender Ethan Haider, who made 34 saves in a 3-3 tie (the Crimson won the shootout to advance to the tourney title game). Holy Family Catholic beat Wayzata 5-1 in Saturday’s third-place game to relegate the hosts to fourth place. Senior Tristan Nelko scored a goal in each game and leads the Trojans in scoring (2-1—3) early.

Last year, Wayzata hosted both northern programs and split, beating Hermantown 5-1 and falling to Duluth East 2-1. Friday’s game is the season-opener for the Hawks, who are looking to extend their streak of eight straight Class A championship game appearances and back-to-back titles. Last year’s loss to Wayzata was Hermantown’s only defeat on the season. Senior Tyler Watkins is one of the preseason Mr. Hockey candidates after scoring 22 goals and 50 points as a junior. He’s the only returning double-digit goal scorer for Hermantown, which also must adjust to the retirement of longtime coach Bruce Plante. It’s a new era in Hermantown.

Duluth East opens its season Friday night in Vadnais Heights against White Bear Lake before returning home to host Wayzata. As always, the Greyhounds under coach Mike Randolph will play a tough schedule in preparation for the playoffs. East fell shy of its eighth straight state appearance last winter, losing to Grand Rapids in the Section 7AA final. But the ‘Hounds are the favorite this year, as they return 12 of their top 13 scorers, including Garrett Worth and Ian Mageau, and University of North Dakota commit Ryder Donovan on defense.

2. Grand Rapids at Greenway
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28
One of the top traditional rivalries in the state, the Grand Rapids-Greenway series has been lopsided in favor of the bigger-school Thunderhawks in recent years. But that could change this winter, as Grand Rapids suffered big graduation and early departure losses after its state championship season, while Greenway looks like a contender in Class A.

Rapids will lean heavily on veteran goaltender Gabe Holum early, as the Thunderhawks must reload. Grand Rapids lost coach Trent Klatt (and welcome in Chris Marinucci behind the bench), as well as seven of its top eight scorers. Probable Mr. Hockey finalist Blake McLaughlin decided to remain in the USHL for his senior season, which hurts, as does the early departure of North Dakota commit and 31-goal scorer Gavin Hain. Senior Jack Burnson is the top returning goal scorer (9-8—17) and senior defenseman Michael Heitkamp the top returning points scorer (4-19—23).

Meanwhile, Greenway has its sights on upsetting Hermantown’s run in Section 7A. The Raiders were nearly left for dead as a program as recently as five years ago, but have risen like a Phoenix from the ashes. The Raiders won 18 games and were ranked in the top-10 in Class A much of last year. Coach Grant Clafton did graduate six of his top eight scorers, with only juniors Casadonte Lawson (21-16—37) and Nikolai Rajala (11-11—22) returning. But the Raiders add St. Cloud State commits Christian Miller and Ben Troumbly from a tough Bantam squad and they’re expected to make an immediate impact. All made a big splash in the Raiders’ season opening 5-3 victory over Mound-Westonka. Lawson recorded a hat trick, while Rajala and Miller also had three points.

3. Brainerd at Moorhead
7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28
In what could be a Section 8AA final preview, Brainerd opens its season at defending section champion Moorhead on Tuesday night at the Moorhead Sports Center.

The third-ranked Spuds, who finished as the state runner-up for a record eighth time last year, are the favorites to repeat. And they could be angry after splitting two games in The Opener at the Bloomington Ice Garden last weekend. The Spuds opened with a 4-2 victory against Lakeville North in which they outshot the Panthers 44-17 but couldn’t pull away until Jack Stetz’s empty netter with 20 seconds left. But St. Thomas Academy got the best of Moorhead last Saturday night, pouring on a 7-4 victory in which they knocked out starting goaltender Lance Leonard. Mr. Hockey candidate Carter Randklev (3-0—3) tried to rally the Spuds, scoring a hat trick, but a 6-2 second-period deficit was too deep. Randklev’s three goals leads the Spuds and his three points is tied for tops with Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe (1-2—3), Ethan Frisch (1-2—3), and Stetz (1-2—3).

Brainerd is still searching for its first state tournament berth, and this could be the best team the Warriors have had in a while. The Warriors are also hungry after falling 5-0 to Moorhead in last year’s section semifinals, ending a 15-win season in which they won the Central Lakes Conference. Coach Dave Aus returns 10 of his top 12 scorers, including senior forwards Jack Evans (15-20—35) and Matt Fischer (16-15—31) and the Andres brothers (juniors Gavin, Riley, and Wyatt, and sophomore Westin).

4. Cretin-Derham Hall at Eden Prairie
7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2
Neither of these teams is the preseason favorite in their respective section, but both should certainly have a say in who emerges. Cretin-Derham Hall is looking up at Edina in the Section 6AA preseason predictions, while Eden Prairie has typically been slotted in right behind Minnetonka in Section 2AA.

The Raiders bring back six of their top seven scorers and four of five key defensemen from a 19-win season. Sophomore Matt Gleason (23-20—43) is among the best players at his age level in the state and scored a freshman program-record 23 goals last winter. Senior Joe Gimberlin (17-15—32) adds another potent scorer, while junior Daniel Magnuson (9-17—26) anchors the defensive corps. Cretin-Derham Hall must replace its goaltending tandem, which could fall to newcomers Tom Cavanagh and George McGuire. 

Eden Prairie said goodbye to Mr. Hockey Casey Mittelstadt this offseason, as he finished one of the most electrifying high school careers in state history — but without a coveted state title. The Eagles won’t be the same high-flying offensive crew this year, but the dropoff in winning might not be as much as many expect. Coach Lee Smith’s team should play a more rugged, physical, defensive style and they have the horses to do it. Junior Jack Jensen (18-25—43) and newcomer Chris Konin are big bodies who can muck it up, while goaltender Andrew Dietrich can hold the defensive effort together in net.

5. Roseau at Edina
7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2
No programs have as much state tournament history as Roseau and Edina, the true bluebloods…err, make that green…of the Minnesota high school hockey scene. Depending on whether you count the Edina East/West split in the 1970s in the Hornets’ tally, they either have 31 or 37 state tournament appearances and nine or 12 state titles, while Roseau has 34 state appearances and seven state championships.

Edina is the early-season darling after rolling past Holy Family Catholic (7-0) and Maple Grove (6-2) to win the Turkey Trot last weekend. Senior Lewis Crosby (4-1—5) poured in the first four goals of the season to power the victory over the Fire on Friday night, while Evan Shoemaker (2-0—2) and Jett Jungels (2-1—3) each scored twice Saturday against the Crimson. The top-ranked Hornets seemingly have no weaknesses, as they have high-scoring forward lines; terrific defense with underclassmen Michael Vorlicky, Jake Boltmann and Ben Brinkman; and veteran goaltending with Garrett Mackay. And we haven’t even yet mentioned Mr. Hockey candidates Sam Walker (0-4—4) and Demetrios Koumontzis (2-4—6). 

Roseau could have its hands full, but the traditional power is coming off an 18-win season and Section 8AA runner-up finish. Coach Andy Lundbohm has his own offensive power with 19-goal scorer Alex Verbout and 18-goal scorer Nathan Adrian returning. Junior center Aaron Huglen (8-16—24) has committed to the University of Minnesota, as well. They’ll need to score Saturday to keep up with the Hornets. 
 

Photo: Tim Kolehmainen