No matter what, this season was going to be a major test for Blake. After being a perennial power in Class 1A (seven state titles, including the last two), the Bears made the big jump to Class 2A.
So far, the move has been no problem. Blake has handled all comers and is unbeaten in 18 games (17-0-1, 2-0), vaulting to No. 1 in the Class 2A coaches' poll.
The Bears will face arguably their toughest test on Saturday, when they host No. 2-2A Edina. The Hornets are not only the defending Class 2A champions, they are in Section 6 with Blake -- meaning this regular-season showdown could likely be a section championship game preview.
A victory for Blake will likely start with the play of junior forward Izzy Daniel. The Cornell commit has a team-high 31 points (20 goals, 11 assists). She tallied her most recent goal in Saturday's 4-2 win against Farmington.
Edina's success has been a result of strong play up front, led by junior forward CC Bowlby and senior forward Loli Fidler (16-26-42). Bowlby, a Dartmouth commit has a team-high 20 goals this season while Fidler, a Harvard prospect, has a team-high 42 points.
The Hornets (14-2-1, 3-1-0) may welcome a win after seeing their perfect season tarnished by a 3-2 loss to No. 4-2A Centennial Dec. 22 and settling for a 3-3 tie with Maple Grove in the Walser Tournament championship a week later. Edina also stumbled at home to Lake Conference foe Eden Prairie last Saturday, a falling 4-3 in overtime.