The Southwest Christian/Richfield Stars take on the Chisago Lakes Wildcats on Tuesday, January 7, at 5:30 PM.
Southwest Christian/Richfield Stars (4-5-0):
The Stars are coming off a narrow 4-3 loss to Northern Lakes. Led by captain Tate Hardacre, who has tallied an impressive 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) this season, the Stars have shown offensive potential but have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 4.33 goals per game. Goaltender Eric Carlson has a respectable .888 save percentage and a 3.39 GAA.
Coach Paul Ranheim will look to key contributors like Bennett Breuer, Christian Greer, and Paul Horner, all with five goals each.
Chisago Lakes Wildcats (6-4-1):
The Wildcats are riding high after a dominant 5-1 win over Dodge County, bringing their record to 6-4-1. With an explosive offense averaging 4.09 goals per game, the Wildcats are led by standout forward Alex Bever, who has 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists). Supporting Bever are players such as Jacob Kletti and Max Koch, each with 12 points on the season.
Defensively, the Wildcats have been solid, allowing 3.18 goals per game. Goaltenders Brett Hanson and Shandley Corbin have shared the net this season, with Corbin leading the way with a .887 save percentage and a 3.07 GAA. Coach Cory Lushanko’s team excels on the penalty kill, operating at 83.9%, and will look to capitalize on the Stars’ defensive lapses.
The Stars will need to tighten up defensively and capitalize on scoring opportunities, especially against Chisago Lakes, a team that thrives on offense. For the Wildcats, maintaining their balanced attack and avoiding penalties will be key to securing a victory.
With both teams looking to solidify their position in Section 4A, this matchup promises to deliver high-energy hockey. Fans can expect an exciting battle at Chisago Lakes Ice Arena as these two teams face off.
Prediction:
Chisago Lakes 5, Southwest Christian/Richfield 4 – A close game with Chisago Lakes edging out due to their offensive depth.
