Maple Grove coach Amber Hegland (right) has the Crimson trending up after three straight wins. The streak may be on the line Tuesday as they face a Centennial team looking to settle a score. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine
Maple Grove may be a marked team heading into its matchup with Centennial this week.
The Crimson, ranked No. 3 in Class 2A by Let's Play Hockey, have been impressive this season. After a 6-3 loss to No. 2-2 Edina in the season opener, they have won three straight -- including a 2-0 win over No. 1-2A Eden Prairie.
However, that's likely not the reason why the Cougars may have had Tuesday's game circled on their calendars since the schedules were released this summer.
It's rooted in a rivalry that added another chapter nearly nine and a half months ago, as Maple Grove ended Centennial's shot at a state tournament bid with a 4-1 win in last year's Class 2A, Section 5 final.
The No. 9-2A Cougars (2-1) take their first shot at redemption in this matchup.
To do so, they must slow down Taylor Wente, who has three goals and six points for the Crimson (3-1) this season. Wente recorded a hat trick to help defeat the Cougars in last year's section final.
With Centennial's chance to avenge last season's defeat, and section seeding already on the line this early in the season, this is our pick for the Top Game of the Week.
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