MANKATO East vs. Rochester Mayo

7:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 13
Graham Arena, Rochester

There is still much to be sorted out in determining the best of the Big 9 Conference, but Thursday’s game between two of this season’s top contenders should offer, at the very least, a hint of where these teams figure into the power structure.

Of course, that was the thought heading into Mayo’s Jan. 4 showdown with Northfield, a game that ended in a 3-3 tie. Overtime ties have been a theme of late for the Spartans, as they also tied Owatonna and Proctor last week.

Mayo might have the best goaltending duo in southern Minnesota. Junior Nick Weick is undefeated in five starts for the Spartans, while senior Tate Cothern has four wins and a .927 save percentage.

No. 16-1A Mankato East (9-4-0) has won eight of its last nine, including four by shutout. The best of those wins might have been the most recent, a 6-4 triumph at Hutchinson in which the Cougars held a 6-2 lead heading into the third period. Junior Brayden Borgmeier scored two of his team-best seven goals in the triumph.

Which team will win?
Legacy pick: Rochester Mayo