We task our reporters with identifying several intriguing games throughout the state to assemble our Top Games of the Week. The matchups are presented in no particular order, and when there are additional games we want to highlight, we’ll include them with brief notes.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s vs. Blake

3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20

Benilde-St. Margaret's, ranked No. 9 in Class 2A, according to the Dec. 15 coaches’ poll, travels to Class 2A, Section 6 opponent No. 14-2A Blake this week.

Both squads are off to solid starts with their only losses coming to teams ranked in the top 10 in Class 2A. The teams split the season series last year, both winning 4-1 games, and will square off for the first time this season. 

Blake (7-4-0) scores an average of 3.64 goals per game, a lot of that coming from senior top-liners Suzy Higuchi and Sam Broz. They haven’t missed a beat playing without linemate senior Ellie Morrison, who’s been out injured. While Blake has 11 players with points this season, Higuchi (15 goals, 13 assists) and Broz (16 goals, 12 assists) stand out on the stats sheet. Eighth-grader Callie Arthur (two goals, seven assists), who’s filled in on the top line in Morrison’s absence, is next with nine points.

While the Bears have a few go-to scorers, the Red Knights have scoring depth throughout the lineup, and from some underclassmen, too.

Thirteen players on their roster have points, and seven have multiple goals this season. They’re led by junior Lizzy Hamel (seven goals, three assists) and sophomore defenseman LuLu Rucinski (four goals, five assists). Sophomore defenseman Bailey Gray, freshman Ellie Stewart and sophomore Kendall Hassler all have eight points apiece. Hassler leads the team with seven assists.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s is 5-2-1 and averaging 3.5 goals per game, while giving up on average 3.5 goals per game. The Red Knights had a five-game winning streak snapped by No. 7-2A Holy Family, before coming back for a 2-2 tie with No. 2-1A Proctor/Hermantown. 

Moose Lake vs. Hibbing/Chisholm

7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20

Moose Lake, ranked No. 13 in Class 1A, lost its season opener to Breck, then rattled off seven straight victories. Hibbing/Chisholm is 4-6 looking to snap a losing streak. Last season, Moose Lake defeated Hibbing/Chisholm both in the regular season and again in the Class 1A, Section 7 quarterfinals.

Moose Lake has allowed only one goal in each of its past three games, allowing just 1.38 goals per game on the season. They’re solid defensively, starting with Mallory Hartl in net. Hartl is 7-1 on the season with a 1.24 goals-against average and .956 save percentage. She made a season-high 38 saves in a 5-2 victory against Minneapolis on Nov. 18. On the blue line, Hallie Klavu (three goals, one assist) and Jorja Jusczak (one goal, one assist) keep opponents in check and also contribute offensively.

Hibbing/Chisholm, No. 19-1A, will face that tough defense as it looks to snap a streak of three-straight shutout losses. Aune Boben is the team’s leading scorer with seven goals and three assists. Panella Rewertz (one goal, six assists) and Abigail Sullivan (four goals, three assists) each have seven points. As a team, they’ve scored on 23.3% of power-play opportunities, while the penalty kill has held opponents to only four goals this season.

Crookston vs. East Grand Forks

7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20

East Grand Forks looks for its first Greater Minnesota Conference victory of the season, while No. 7-1A Crookston hopes to get its second victory in the conference standings. The teams are also Class 1A, Section 8 foes, and met in the section semifinals last year, with Crookston coming out on top. 

The Pirates (8-1-1) are averaging nearly five goals a game this season. Their only loss came to top-ranked Warroad earlier this month. They’ve outscored opponents 49-18 this season, including 19-2 over the past two games.

Reese Swanson (10 goals, eight assists) is already halfway to matching her 20-goal season from last year. Cassie Solheim (five goals, 11 assists), Brekken Tull (seven goals, seven assists), Taylor Field (six goals, seven assists) and Ashlyn Bailey (five goals, six assists) all are into double-digits in the points column, providing Crookston with some solid scoring depth.

East Grand Forks is 3-5 this season, scoring 3.62 goals per game but allowing 5.75 goals per game. Blake Schultz (nine goals, eight assists) leads the team in all three scoring categories with her 17 points. Kara Ellis (seven goals, four assists) has a shorthanded goal this season.

Simley vs. Dodge County, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20. A couple of top-10 teams in this game, with No. 10-1A Simley vs. No. 6-1A Dodge County. Simley is riding a five-game winning streak. Dodge County is 10-1 allowing 1.27 goals per game.

White Bear Lake vs. East Ridge, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22. A pair of Suburban East Conference and Class 2A, Section 4 squads face off this week. East Ridge (7-2) has won the past five head-to-head meetings. White Bear Lake will try to stop a three-game skid headed into this week.

The MN Girls' Hockey Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.