Jaxon Sibell has allowed more than two goals just twice in 12 starts this season. He won his first 11 of those starts, his first as varsity goaltender. He’s faced 315 shots and allowed just 21 goals. Add it all up and you get a 1.72 goals-against average (fourth-best in the state) and .933 save perecentage (sixth-best statewide) for the Cambridge-Isanti freshman goaltender.
Matt Filippi has scored at least a point in every game this season. In fact, he’s been held to less than two points just three times. He’s had two four-goal games, one seven-point game and one six-point game. Add it all up and you get 59 points for the Little Falls junior forward - second most in the state.
Of course, Thursday’s matchup between No. 14-1A Cambridge-Isanti and No. 4-1A Little Falls will be decided by much more than the individual play of Sibell and Filippi, but it’s a matchup worth watching as, no doubt, the two will be up-close with each other more than a few times.
Little Falls had its 15-game win streak to start the season halted by Fergus Falls on Jan. 15. The Flyers (16-1-0) are just one of two teams in the state with just one loss, joining Hermantown.
Cambridge-Isanti had won 12 straight after opening the season with back-to-back losses, a streak that ended with last Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Monticello.