#1 Seed Delano (20-4-2) enters this game on an 11-game unbeaten streak after earning a win over Waconia in the 2A Quarterfinal Round. It's been an excellent year for Delano, considering the injuries they overcame in the net to be the #1 seed in 2A. As normal, they are peaking at the perfect time as they head into this big-time 2A Semifinal vs archrival Orono. The Tigers controlled the first game vs the Spartans but were only able to win 3-1. They will lean on their veteran leadership in this one, Srs. Daniel Halonen, Brady Kangas, Brody Geislinger & Connor Oja are the leaders, and they will need a big game in net from Sr. Evan Geyen. The Tigers had their season ended by their rivals last year in this same game. They are now looking to make amends for that, and this is always a great game, and this should be an early game thriller to start the 2A Semifinals.
#5 seed Orono (10-12-4) comes into this one having out-scored a good St Louis Park team in the 2A Quarterfinals to show they are clicking on all cylinders as well. The Spartans got big games offensively out of their top line of Srs. Jackson Knight & Rory Kvern, and Soph Ryan De Lange, as the offense for Orono has been one of their strengths, led by that big line, and they will be needed vs the structured and always well-coached Tigers in this one. The big key for the Spartans will be playing great hockey in their own end, as that has been an issue for them all year when it comes to consistency. They will also need goalkeeper Sr. Max Lewin to be at his absolute best, as he was rock solid when Delano controlled the pace of play in the first game. Looking at how Orono ended the year we should expect the 3 time defending 2A Champs to come out firing and this one as these are two long time rivals who do not care much for each other and this will be a great 2A Semifinal game.
2A SF- #1 Delano vs #5 Orono
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