Can somebody raise their hand if they know the last time Elk River lost?

Anybody?

Oh, plenty of hands are up in Maple Grove.

The Crimson were the last team to take down Elk River, the defending state champions, and did so in the 2013 regular season finale.

The Elks ran through sections and cruised through the state tournament, much like they have already this season, already off to a 4-0 start. They have only allowed three runs so far, backstopped by returning All-State pitcher Anna Pipenhagen.

Maple Grove has been just as good and perhaps even better. It is 5-0 and has only allowed one run so far.

If the stars align, this could be one of those low-scoring nail-bitters that everyone wants to see. Sure, these two Northwest Suburban Conference rivals can score runs, but defense and pitching is their bread and butter.

The conference is already shaping out to be a battle, so this early season affair will give someone bragging rights.

Elk River and Maple Grove come together with a combined record of 9-0, a total of four runs given up between them and are just about neck-and-neck when it comes to runs scored -- Maple Grove has 38 and Elk River 36.

Weather is supposed to be a factor all week, so hopefully it will allow for this one to be played on Wednseday, and if so, we will know who will sit atop the Northwest Suburban standings.