It seems just yesterday we were breaking the seal on a new seasons, marveling at the possibilities and making our projections.

Now, here we are, the final week of the regular season. Now, same as then, there's no shortage of compelling games to close with, including several that are likely to have a meaningful impact on the playoffs.

No. 13-2A Rogers (16-7-1), powered by the twin scoring engines of Sam Ranallo (22 goals) and Hogan Sinjem (23 goals), closes out its regular season Tuesday with a colossal matchup against No. 12-2A Centennial (16-4-3), a Northwest Suburban Conference rival and potential Section 5AA playoff foe. … No. 8-1A Fergus Falls and star forwards Isaac Johnson (48 points) and Michael DeBrito (45 points) face Joe Gronholz (48 points) and No. 7-1A Alexandria on Tuesday in what could be a preview to the Section 6A title game. … If any team can end Lakeville South’s reign atop Section 1AA, it most likely will be either Hastings (19-3-1) or Lakeville North (16-6-0), Thursday’s opponents in a game that will likely determine the No. 2 seed in the section. … We’ll continue with the potential playoff opponent theme with Thursday’s Lake Conference game between Jake Luloff (38 points) and No. 14-2A Eden Prairie (13-10-0) and No. 17-2A Minnetonka (13-9-1). … No. 15-2A Prior Lake (14-9-0) and top scorer Alex Bump, a leading Mr. Hockey candidate, have won 10 or their last 12 and have the chance to close out the season Friday by avenging a 4-3 overtime loss on Jan. 18 to No. 9-1A Lakeville South (19-3-0) and top scorer Tanner Ludtke (41 points).