One team has sewn up the number one seed in the league standings, and the other is fighting for the number two seed.  One team has beaten every other team in the conference, while the other team still has one to go.  One team is looking to win the NCHA outright, and the other desperately wants to prevent that and sweep the season series. One team is ranked number two, the other number three in the latest USCHO poll.

Any way you slice it, both Superior and St. Scholastica have a lot to play for come Friday night.  It's the second meeting of the season between the two teams.  About a month ago, they met at Mars-Lakeview Arena in Duluth and the Saints made a statement complete with exclamation point, in a 7-2 drubbing of the Yellowjackets.

It was hands-down the worst game of the season for the 'Jackets, a humbling experience in a season that has otherwise been sparkling.

"That was a tough night for us.  From the goaltender on out, we didn't play well," said Yellowjacket Head Coach Dan Stauber.  "You have to credit St. Scholastica.  They came after us from the opening face-off and just kept on coming.  We made a lot of mistakes, but some of that was attributed to the way they played that night."

Let us give you a little refresher.  The Saints scored three times in the first period and were up 4-0 before the 'Jackets broke through.  They gave up two power play goals, suffered too many defensive lapses and weren't aggressive enough getting to the net.  When they did get to the net, Saints' goaltender Steve Bounds was there, making 36 saves in the game.  A.J. Tucker scored four goals in the game and added an assist, en route to NCHA Player of the Week honors. 

But this time could be different.  This time, the game is at Wessman Arena, where the 'Jackets have yet to lose this season, going 9-0-2.  And they still have a sour taste in their mouths from the loss.

"It was one of those experiences that comes along during the season that you know you can grow from," Stauber said.  "We were on a pretty good roll at that time and maybe thought we didn't have to give our best every night.  That we could just show up and we would somehow win.  That's a bad way to go into a game.  That game taught us some lessons for sure."

The 'Jackets have applied those lessons liberally, going 4-0-2 since that fateful Saturday night and playing better each weekend.  The Saints have also been rolling, losing just once since November 21; that came last Friday when they fell at home to UW-Stevens Point by a 4-1 score.

"They're a really good hockey team.  One of the best in the country," Stauber said.  "They have some size, they are skilled, they play physical and they work really, really hard.  They are good in their own zone and they have really good goaltending.  And as we learned, they can score some goals, too.

"We've got our work cut out for us.  They're a confident team right now and I'm sure they haven't forgotten what they did to us the first time around.  Fortunately, neither have we and I think our players will be more focused and ready to play this time around."

And don't forget everything that's on the line.

"It's one of those games where you say 'if you can't get up for this, then you shouldn't be here.'  Both teams are playing for something on Friday night," Stauber said.  "They are trying to finish in the number two slot and have home ice in the first two rounds.  We're trying to secure the league championship.  Both teams are playing for national ranking points.  There will be a lot on the line."

The puck drops at Wessman at 7:05 p.m.