St. Cloud Cathedral vs. St. Cloud

7:15 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 30
Granite City Classic Showcase, Third Round
Municipal Athletic Complex, St. Cloud

The Granite City was deprived of this rivalry game last season, one of many COVID-19 cancellations that dotted the teams’ schedules. For those keeping score, bragging rights currently belong to St. Cloud Cathedral, which beat St. Cloud 4-3 on Dec. 27, 2019. 

This matchup is all but impossible to handicap, given that the teams play out of separate classes (Cathedral is in 1A, St. Cloud in 2A) and conferences (Cathedral is an independent team, St. Cloud is in the Central Lakes). The teams have no common opponents so far this season, not that it would matter much if they had.

This is one of those high-emotion, highly volatile rivalries that are determined more by passion than precision.

After a 1-3-0 start to the season — all three losses were against high-caliber opponents — No. 17-1A Cathedral (5-3-0) has won four straight. Senior Nolan Widman is the Crusaders’ leader in goals (7) and points (18). 

St. Cloud (3-4-2) has played almost exclusively Class 2A opponents this season and has victories over Rogers and Buffalo along with a 2-2 tie against No. 12-1A Alexandria on Thursday in its most recent outing.

Junior Andrew Cumming leads St. Cloud in both goals with seven and points with 15.

Which team will win?
Legacy pick: St. Cloud Cathedral

Viewers: 2-for-5
Legacy: 3-for-5

Season records

Viewers: 11-for-19 | 58 percent
Legacy: 11-for-19 | 58 percent