As girls' hockey was becoming a staple among Minnesota high school sports in the late 1990s and early 2000s, South St. Paul was synonymous with success.
The Packers were a mainstay in the state tournament — including a stretch of four state championships between 2002 and 2006.
In recent years, however, St. Paul United has emerged as a consistent threat from Minnesota's capital city. The United have made the Class 1A state tournament in each of the past two seasons, including a runner-up finish last year.
The two programs face off Tuesday in a game that will impact the race for the top seed in the Class 1A, Section 4 playoffs — and may give one bragging rights for the remainder of the season.
The United (6-3), which is ranked sixth in the Class 1A coaches' poll, comes in as the section favorite thanks to senior forward Samantha Burke. The Cornell commit has 11 goals and six assists this season.
For the No. 9-1A Packers, goaltending will be key as they try to slow down the United.
South St. Paul (6-1) also features a Cornell commit, senior goalie Kaity McKenzie, who has started six games this season and recorded two shutouts, the second was a 6-0 win against Moose Lake Area last Saturday.