Delano vs. Hermantown
Hilltopper Holiday Tournament at Duluth's Mars Lakeview Arena
3:15 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 29

The Class 1A coaches' poll has seen its share of shakeups, and No. 6-ranked Delano and No. 1-ranked Hermantown ought to provide the opportunity to continue that trend. 

The Tigers would like to see to that, anyway, and enter the holiday break having recovered from stumbling against Buffalo on Dec. 8 with consecutive victories over No. 19-1A St. Cloud Cathedral, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato and Hutchinson.

Delano, however, now embarks on its toughest back-to-back stretch of the season, facing the Hawks to close down 2015 before opening 2016 against Holy Family Catholic on Jan. 5.

The Tigers have two players with 10 or more goals already, as junior captains Ben Meyers (13-12-25) and John Keranen (10-10-20) continue to be productive on offense.

Hermantown lost for the first time this season after being shut out at Minnetonka 3-0 on Friday. The Hawks rebounded with a 6-2 win Saturday night over New Prague.

Before facing Delano, Hermantown (6-1-1) will face Eveleth-Gilbert (3-6-1) on Dec. 22 in a nonconference game.

The Hawks have a couple of talented goal scorers, as both Ryan Sandelin and Cole Koepke each have nine goals and 16 points in eight games this season.