FTP's Top 5 Games of the Day: Thursday, January 24th

Here are FTP's Top 5 Games for Thursday, January 24th:

1. #14AA Blaine (10-4-0) at #13AA Centennial (10-5-2), 7:30 PM

Centennial and Blaine are currently the two best teams in Section 5AA. They could easily meet a third time for the Section 5AA championship in early March.

Centennial won the first meeting between these two teams in early December, 4-1, at Fogerty Arena in Blaine. This time, it's on Cougar ice.

Blaine has won their last four games with their last loss five games ago against Anoka. Centennial defeated Champlin Park Tuesday night but they too lost their last game to the Tornadoes this past Saturday. The Cougars gave up seven goals, which was their 2nd highest goals total they have given up to any one team in a game this season.

Blaine has a grueling 3-day, 3-game stretch starting Thursday night with Centennial and then head north to face Duluth East on Friday, Cloquet on Saturday.

Do not expect this to be a low scoring, defensive affair. Both teams have potent offenses. It should be a closer game though than the first one. Blaine is a remarkable 7-1 away from Forgerty while the Cougars are 5-2 at home.

Fearless Prediction: Centennial 4, Blaine 3

2. Thief River Falls (7-9-0) at #9A Park Rapids Area (18-0-0), 7:30 PM

Is Park Rapids Area as good as their undefeated record indicates? That has been the question for most of the season by most of their critics. Everybody wants to know how they would stand up to stronger competition. I too have questioned how good they really are since, honestly, they have only played one ranked team in the state, East Grand Forks. That too is misleading as I had clearly over-ranked the Green Wave early in the season.

Zach Lehrke has had an outstanding season for the Panthers. Lehrke is one of the top scorers in the state with 31 goals and 28 assists on the season. Only Chris Stafne from Duluth Denfeld has scored more goals than Lehrke.

The Thief River Falls Prowlers were expected to be performing better than they currently are with their 7-9 record. They had lost seven of their first eight games of the season and have gone 6-2 since then. In their last seven games, they have picked up some quality wins over #17A-ranked Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl, East Grand Forks, and Class AA perennial powerhouse Moorhead. They lost by one goal to the Warriors of Warroad, ranked 5th in Class A. They have clearly played a much stronger schedule the entire season.

I believe this is the FIRST real test for Park Rapids on the season. It is being played in Park Rapids at the Community Center so they will have home ice. The town of Park Rapids should be closed up to take in this game.

The Panthers will silence MANY of their doubters if they can come away with a win against the Prowlers but, on the other hand, if they lose, they will not get another legitimate chance to redeem themselves until they start play in the Section 8A playoffs. The Prowlers are also fighting for respectability. This could be a HUGE GAME in determining the seeding in February for the playoffs.

Fearless Prediction: Thief River Falls 3, Zach Lehrke/Park Rapids Area 2 (OT)

3. #13A South St. Paul (10-5-1) at #7A Mahtomedi (11-5-2)

South St. Paul is 4-2 in their last 6 games. Mahtomedi is 4-2 in their last 6 games.

South St. Paul won 3-2 in their first meeting at Wakota Arena on 12/13/07.

This should be another great game. I only see a one goal difference for the winner or possibly a tie in this one. Both teams were held to only one in goal in their last game. After scoring 1 or 0 goals in a game, both teams have scored 3 or more goals in their very next game.

Both teams almost mirror one another. It is a very important Section 4A battle that the Packers need to win.

Fearless Prediction: South St. Paul 3, Mahtomedi 3 (TIE)

TIE - 4 & 5 (& 6). Rivalries!

Rogers/Zimmerman (12-5-1) vs. Buffalo (9-5-2)

Rogers/Zimmerman Royals have won eight games in a row. Five of the opponents were Class A teams and none of the eight were ranked.

Both teams tied in their first meeting 2-2 at Buffalo.

Fearless Prediction: Buffalo 3, Rogers/Zimmerman 2


Rochester John Marshall (2-15-0) vs. Rochester Mayo (9-8-0)

The Rockets have lost 12 in a row. The Spartans have lost five in a row after having gone 9-3 in their first 12 games.

Mayo took the first game earlier in the season, 7-2.

There is a lot of history between these two teams. Records don't matter when it's a rivalry...... usually.

Fearless Prediction: Rochester Mayo 6, Rochester John Marshall 2


Mankato East/Loyola (3-14-1) vs. #3A Mankato West (14-1-0)

The Scarlets won the first meeting this year, 12-0.

The Cougars are young and gaining some valuable learning experience this season. The Scarlets are experienced and loaded with talented seniors & juniors.

Cougar pride vs. Scarlet confidence!

Fearless Prediction: Mankato West 8, Mankato East/Loyola 2

Enjoy YOUR game of the day on Thursday wherever it may be throughout the state of Minnesota!