Hill-Murray at Stillwater
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 23

Hill-Murray and Stillwater have forged a heated Class 2A, Section 4 rivalry. The school's campuses are less than nine miles apart, and over the years there have been players who grew up playing youth hockey in Stillwater who ended their prep careers wearing a Pioneers' sweater.

The rivalry may have ramped up after the east side powerhouse programs met in last season's section final, where Hill-Murray defeated Stillwater 4-1. Propelled by the victory, the Pioneers went on to win their first state title. 

No. 6-2A Hill-Murray (6-3-0) is on a four-game winning streak that includes a 4-2 victory over No. 5-2A Dodge County on Dec. 20.

HIll-Murray doesn’t have a big-time goal scorer, but has nice balance. Senior captain Becca Zarembinski and junior Mekenzie Steffen each have seven goals. Steffen tallied all of her goals in the Pioneers' last three games.

The Ponies (7-4-1) have gone 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Making that mark more impressive is the fact that all seven games were against Stillwater's Suburban East Conference foes.

Senior Carlie Hart has been the go-to scorer for the Ponies with nine goals (and 16 points).

This regular-season game will impact postseason seeding and could be a preview of the section championship.