And just like that, we've hit the stretch run of the regular season. Team are already jockeying for playoff positioning, and this week is loaded with the second round of several of the state's best rivalries.

Logan Hensler, a freshman standout on defense, and No. 3-2A Hill-Murray (12-3-1) bring a six-game unbeaten streak to the comfy confines of the Pagel Activity Center on Tuesday to play up-and-down No. 18-2A Minnetonka (8-7-1). … La Crescent-Hokah (7-5-2) and 30-goal scorer Wyatt Farrell face one of the state’s top goaltenders (top eight in goals-against average and save percentage) on Tuesday in Dakota Jahnke of No. 20-1A Albert Lea (12-3-0). … Both No. 5-2A Roseau (13-3-0) and No. 2-1A Warroad (16-2-0) suffered weekend losses to Wayzata, siphoning just a bit of the steam from the team’s Tuesday renewal of their rivalry, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the state. … No. 8-2A Wayzata (11-5-1) and ace goaltender Will Ingemann (1.90 goals-against average) face Trey Fechko (14 goals) and No. 7-2A Edina (12-5-0) on Thursday in the second of what could be four meetings between the teams.  … New Ulm (12-5-0) puts its perfect Big South Conference record of 9-0-0 in jeopardy on Thursday when it plays Luverne (8-7-1 overall, 7-1-0 in the Big South) and scoring leader Patrick Kroski (16 goals, 20 assists). … Any day is a good day for outdoor hockey as Fairmont (4-10-0) faces Winona (3-10-2) on the outdoor rink adjacent to venerable Bud King Ice Arena in Winona on Saturday. … On Saturday No. 10-2A Maple Grove (11-5-1) becomes the latest top-20 big school to take a shot at Hermantown (15-1-0), the top-ranked team in Class 1A and one of just two teams in the state (Little Falls is the other) with one loss. The Hawks have already defeated five of the current top-20 ranked Class 2A teams.