After winning a state championship two years ago, Prior Lake had its eyes on winning another last season but saw it hopes of defending its title crushed by a 13-12 loss to Mahtomedi in the state quarterfinals.
On Saturday, the Lakers can enact a bit of revenge as they welcome the Zephyrs for a rematch — a game that is also the first major test of the season for Prior Lake.
The Lakers have rolled in their first three games of the season, outscoring their competition 42-12 on the shoulders of Alex Rejda (8-0-8) and Luke Bloedow (3-7-10). Despite controlling the play on both offense and defense, Prior Lake (3-0, 1-0) has won just 32 percent of its draws in a struggle for possession.
That could prove troublesome against the Zephyrs faceoff specialist Colin Hagstrom, who won 83 percent of his draws in Mahtomedi’s 14-13 overtime victory over Wayzata last Saturday. Hagstrom scored twice off the faceoff and was crucial in a late comeback by Mahtomedi (3-1, 2-0), which is riding a three-game winning streak.