Warroad at Dodge County
Warroad Hockeytown Holiday Classic
6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26

Dodge County and Warroad never seem to shy away from playing tough competition, which might explain why the Wildcats will travel seven hours and 434 miles north to face the Warriors in a matchup featuring the top teams from opposite ends of the state.

Warroad senior forward Demi Gardner hasn’t played since a 6-2 win over Roseau on Nov. 28 because of a wrist injury, but the No. 4-1A Warriors (10-2, 6-0) has continued to roll in her absence with a seven-game winning streak.

Demi’s sister, junior forward Mariah Gardner, has eight goals and 10 assists and sophomore forward Madison Oelkers has nine goals and six assists in the last six games. Both Gardners recently verbally committed to Minnesota State.

The No. 12-2A Wildcats (7-6-1) became just the second team this season to hold a lead against No. 1-2A Hill-Murray. Bella Wagner (10-8-18) had a power-play goal 1 minute, 38 seconds into the game to take a 1-0 lead before the Pioneers rallied to earn a 3-1 victory on Dec. 19.