Rosemount hasn’t lost often this season, but one setback was a 3-2 loss on Dec. 11 to Prior Lake. Now, both teams are wrangling for the top spot in an up-for-grabs South Suburban Conference where just three points separate five teams.
Joining the Irish and Lakers in the hunt for a league title are Lakeville North, Eagan and Lakeville South, and a loss for either Rosemount or Prior Lake on Saturday could end up being the difference in the final order of the standings.
Anything close to a repeat of the first meeting, which featured four power-play goals, would make for another dramatic contest. Once again, it might come down to special teams — making this tilt our Top Game of the Week.
Rosemount needs to stay out of the penalty box against Prior Lake. Three Irish skaters have accumulated 20 or more penalty minutes so far this season, and Rosemount (14-3, 8-2) has a 68.2 penalty-kill percentage in league play.
Keeping things at even strength would help goaltender William Tollefson (10-3-0, .912 save percentage), who has allowed three or more goals in only four games. He also boasts two shutouts — a 2-0 win over Chanhassen on Dec. 27 and a 7-0 victory against Apple Valley on Jan. 5.
Prior Lake has found success in league contests by converting on the power play at a 28.6 percent clip. The Lakers (7-7-1, 6-4-1) have scored on the man advantage in seven of their 10 conference games.
The Lakers also have a reputation for playing South Suburban teams tough — they have two one-goal losses to Lakeville North (2-1 on Dec. 4 and 3-2 on Dec. 27) and wins over Shakopee (7-0, Dec. 15) and Apple Valley (6-3 on Dec. 1 and 6-2 on Dec. 18).
Prior Lake’s top scorer also produces in conference games. Five of Jackson Jutting's eight goals and 15 of his 16 assists are against South Suburban teams. The Colorado College-bound senior had two goals in the first meeting with Rosemount.