After finishing 2015 on a high note, the College of Saint Benedict Hockey team returns to action this weekend, as they will host NCHA-foe St. Norbert in a Friday-Saturday doubleheader. While St. Norbert played a doubleheader at Augsburg last weekend, this will be the Blazers first game back after a month-long winter break.

The Schedule:

St. Norbert @ Blazers, 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 9th, Municipal Athletic Complex St. Cloud, Minn.

St. Norbert @ Blazers, 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10th, Municipal Athletic Complex, St. Cloud, Minn.

The Records:

CSB: 3-6-1 (1-4-1 MIAC)

SNC: 8-4-0 (5-3-0 NCHA)

Who to Watch:

CSB:

So. F Brigette Miller | Leads the Blazers with six points and four goals

Jr. F Elli Marvin | Had two points last weekend against Concordia (Wisc.), including an assist on the game-winning goal on Saturday

Fy. G Angel Hillstrom | Ranks first and fifth in the MIAC in saves (251) and win percentage (.500), respectively

SNC:

So. F Reaghan Chadwick | Ranks fourth in the NCHA with seven goals this season

Sr. F Emily Chandler | Leads St. Norbert with eight assists

So. G Leigh Grail | Fourth in the NCHA with a 1.92 Goals Against Average

About the Green Knights:

After being picked to finish second in the competitive NCHA conference, the Green Knights had a slow start in 2015, losing four of their first six games and culminating in a 1-4 loss to Lake Forest at home. Since that game however, the Knights have broken off a six-game winning streak--all of them on the road. Most recently, they swept a two-game series against MIAC rival Augsburg in Minneapolis. Five of those six victories were decided by two goals or less.

The Storyline:

As college hockey rounds out the end of the nonconference season, both teams will be looking to use these games as a tuneup before turning down the homestretch of the conference season. Although the Blazers struggled early in 2015, they finished the year by winning two of their last three games, including a victory on the road against No. 9 Gustavus. A strong showing against an always competitive St. Norbert team would be a huge momentum boost.

Last Time:

Last year, the Blazers opened their season by dropping two games on the road to the Green Knights. In the first game, the Blazers took an early lead off a goal from Kimberly Patterson. The Green Knights scored thrice in the second period and rode on to a 4-2 victory over the Blazers. On Saturday, the St. Norbert scored in all three periods en route to a 4-0 victory over the Blazers.

Frenemies: Aside from being an important game for each team, today will also be the first matchup between Blazer Head Coach Jennifer Kranz and new Green Knight Head Coach Meredith Roth. Roth and Kranz first met when they were teammates on the Wisconsin Challengers U-19 traveling hockey team. Roth then followed Kranz to Providence College where they helped Providence win an ECAC title. The former teammates met again as coaches at Shattuck-St. Mary's where they helped transform SSM into a perennial powerhouse. Read the full article here at Along The Boards.