Stillwater at Mahtomedi
7 p.m., Thursday, April 13

After suffering a 17-6 defeat at the hands of Mahtomedi last season, Stillwater will be chomping at the bit for another chance against the Zephyrs. 

The senior-laden Ponies can exact their revenge early, as they open their 2017 campaign with another excursion to Mahtomedi, where a talented and experienced crop of Zephyrs await.

Among its upperclassmen ranks, Stillwater returns both its goalies from last season, junior Luke VandenBergh and senior Connor Chestnut.

Mahtomedi's Lucas Honebrink only posted five goals and 13 points in 2016, but the senior midfielder is at his best in the face-off circle, where his high rate of success allows the Zephyrs to control the pace of the game. 

The focus in possession should allow juniors Josh Campbell (nine goals) and Tim Lindquist (13 goals) quality attack time to slide into primary scoring roles after the graduation departures of leading scorers Matt Schwartz and Connor Lawless, who combined for 74 goals last season.