There was a time when the regular-season meeting between these teams was almost assuredly a preview to the state championship game. Eden Prairie and Blake met for the state title for six straight years (and 10 overall) starting with the first state tournament in 2007. At least one of the teams has appeared in every state title game, with Eden Prairie reaching the championship game a stunning 12 of 13 years.
All that dominance has diminished somewhat in recent years, however, with Apple Valley and Prior Lake winning the two most recent championships, and Blake and Eden Prairie hanging at the bottom of the top-10 rankings with the Bears at No. 9 and the Eagles clutching onto the No. 10 spot.
Both programs still have an abundance of talent. Junior Josie Lillquist leads Eden Prairie (6-3, 4-2) with 32 goals and fellow junior Taylor Kotschevar-Call has 29. Junior Erin Lee powers the Blake (6-2, 1-0) attack with 30 goals.