As Hockey Day’s opening act to the Hill-Murray versus White Bear Lake finale, this matchup of the No. 2 and 3 teams in Class 1A is akin to, say, the Rolling Stones opening for the Beatles.
Both No. 2-1A Hermantown (12-2-1) and No. 3-1A Mahtomedi (11-4-0) have played ambitious schedules that include many of the state’s top Class 2A teams. The game marks the sixth of seven trips to the Twin Cities for the Hawks, the defending state Class 1A champion led by Penn State commit Dallas Vieau’s 24 points.
The Polar Lakes Park outdoor venue, which is just 9 miles from Mahtomedi High School, will have something of a home-game flavor for the Zephyrs, who won their lone state title in 2020. Senior Charlie Drage is Mahtomedi’s top scorer with 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists).