Class 1A, Section 7 features three top-10-ranked teams — Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, Proctor/Hermantown and Duluth Marshall. They’ve each emerged as contenders looking to gain an edge heading into the playoffs. And this week, two will clash in our Top Game of the Week.
While Proctor/Hermantown has been a perennial contender in Section 7, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton has not. But this season, the Lumberjacks, ranked No. 8 in the Class 1A state coaches' poll from Jan. 16, have five wins against section opponents, proving the Lumberjacks are in the mix to compete for a section crown.
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (15-5-0, 2-1-0) junior Taylor Nelson has helped drive that success with 27 goals, including three straight hat tricks in wins over Duluth (4-1 on Jan. 3), Hayward Co-Op (6-1 on Jan. 5) and Superior (7-0 on Jan. 8).
A season ago, Proctor/Hermantown swept through Section 7 on its way to the state tournament. After winning its first game in the Class 1A tournament, the Miracle were defeated by eventual state champion Breck.
This year, if No. 5-1A Proctor/Hermantown wants to repeat, it will have plenty of contenders to battle. So far, it's beaten Hibbing/Chisholm twice (5-1 on Nov. 20 and 3-2 on Jan. 17), Eveleth-Gilbert (5-0 on Dec. 11) and No. 10-1A Duluth Marshall (4-3 on Nov. 27).
The Mirage have won five of their past six games, and the offense has helped get that done. Sophomore Alyssa Watkins has been a big part of that attack, scoring 19 goals in 23 games this season.
A win Tuesday could prove helpful for two teams wanting a tuneup heading into the postseason.