Chisago Lakes ran away with the Mississippi 8 Conference a season ago, going 9-0 in league play. However, the Wildcats (1-0) may find it difficult to duplicate a similar record this season as they enter conference play without Nils Gulbranson, who graduated after a 33-goal his senior year.
Last season's second- and third-leading scorers Jamie Mower (9 goals) and Drew Hanson (13 goals) return and need to take on a larger share of the offensive responsibility if Chisago Lakes is going to retain its conference championship.
St. Francis also lost its top scorer after last season, but if the Fighting Saints offense is anything like last year's -- which even distributed the scoring -- it could help them avoid an offensive tapering.
Andy Chrisopherson has already scored twice and notched an assist this season, and he could be one offensive weapon that St. Francis (1-1) may need to topple the reigning conference champions.