The Delano Tigers delivered a commanding performance on the road, defeating the Mahtomedi Zephyrs 4-1 in a game defined by solid team play and key contributions from their top players.
Delano set the tone early with a pair of first-period goals. Lance Halonen opened the scoring at 6:50, finishing a setup from Mason Hargarten and Daniel Halonen. Just a few minutes later, Daniel Halonen doubled the lead with an even-strength tally at 11:05, showcasing Delano’s offensive depth. The Tigers outshot the Zephyrs 11-9 in the frame and killed an early penalty to maintain momentum.
The Tigers continued their offensive push in the second period. At 4:41, Markus Kangas extended the lead to 3-0 with a well-placed shot assisted by Lance Halonen and Mason Hargarten. Four minutes later, Hargarten added a goal of his own, set up by both Halonen brothers, to make it 4-0. Delano’s defense and penalty kill stood strong, holding Mahtomedi scoreless despite two power-play opportunities.
Mahtomedi found the scoreboard late in the third period when Laken Decker capitalized on an even-strength opportunity at 14:42, assisted by Winston Wright. However, Delano’s defense and goaltender Evan Geyen shut down any further comeback attempts. Geyen was stellar throughout the game, turning away 25 of 26 shots for a .962 save percentage.
Both teams struggled on the power play, with Delano going 0-for-3 and Mahtomedi 0-for-6. However, Delano’s penalty kill was a key factor, successfully neutralizing all six Mahtomedi power plays.
Delano showcased their balanced attack and strong defensive structure in this dominant win. With stellar play from their top forwards and a reliable performance from Geyen in goal, the Tigers continue to build momentum as the season progresses. For Mahtomedi, the game highlighted areas for improvement, particularly on the power play and in neutralizing opponents’ top lines.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Orono Spartans and Minneapolis finished in a 3-3 tie after an action-packed overtime period at the Parade Ice Garden. Both teams showcased strong special teams play and a balanced attack in a thrilling game.
Orono struck quickly as Lachlan Hoffman found the back of the net just 1:06 into the game, assisted by Ethan Pagel. Minneapolis answered on the power play at 7:00, with Johan Krasean converting off assists from Wilson Lamberty and Rory Kronick. Just 55 seconds later, Minneapolis capitalized again on the power play, with Eli Milinkovich scoring off assists from Krasean and Kronick to take a 2-1 lead into the second period.
The special teams continued to shine for Minneapolis, with Kronick scoring their third consecutive power-play goal at 10:35, assisted by Krasean. The period also saw Orono struggling to generate offense, as Minneapolis outshot the Spartans 6-4, maintaining a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame.
Orono mounted a comeback in the third period. Ethan Pagel scored at 8:32 to cut the deficit to 3-2, assisted by Jacob Pfeifer and Jackson Knight. Less than two minutes later, Trey Landa tied the game at 10:05 off another assist from Knight. Both teams battled hard for the go-ahead goal, but strong goaltending from Minneapolis’ Adam Lybeck and Orono’s Evan Schmidt kept the game tied.
Both teams had chances in overtime, but neither could find the back of the net. Minneapolis managed three shots, while Orono had five, but the goalies stood tall to secure the draw.
The game showcased excellent power-play execution by Minneapolis, while Orono demonstrated resilience in battling back from a two-goal deficit. Both teams earned a hard-fought point in a game that could be a preview of more exciting matchups to come.
