Two weeks ago, Delano left Orono Ice Arena the losers in a 2-1 affair.
 
The loss may have wounded the Tigers, but it ultimately gave Delano a chip on its shoulder entering a rematch with the Spartans in the Class 1A, Section 2 semifinals at Parade Ice Garden on Tuesday.
 
“We’re only five miles apart, but we’re two towns who think we’re really different and we thrive off that,” Tigers coach Gerrit van Bergen said. “I think it gave us an edge, and at times we’ve lacked that (edge) in these type of games that we need.”
 
Second-seeded Delano embodied a bruising, blue-collar style of hockey, which resulted in 51 hits, and energized the Tigers to a 4-0 victory over the No. 3-seeded Spartans.
 
Junior Brian Halonen scored the opening and game-winning goal halfway through the first period on the penalty kill by burying a rebound past Orono goaltender Robbie Leslie.
 
“It was just a smart shot by Jesse Lawman, and when you go to the net and keep your stick on the ice, good things happen,” Halonen said.
 
Happen they did, as Halonen notched two more goals to finish the night with his first career hat trick.
 
Ranked No. 9 in the Class 1A coaches’ poll, the Tigers' physical play did draw over twice as many penalty minutes as the Spartans, but Delano (20-7) kept Orono outside and settling for weak shots.
 
The Tigers student section chanted “Stonewall Jackson” throughout the game in praise of sophomore goaltender Jackson Hjelle, who stopped all 31 shots the Spartans (16-10-1) mustered.
 
“It’s a good feeling to know they’re all supporting me, but I also kind of tune it out because I don’t want to let it get to my head,” Hjelle said. “I just want to keep my focus on stopping the next shot.”
 
Hjelle has certainly made it an uphill battle for opponents in the playoffs, stopping 43 of 44 shots in the section tournament so far.
 
Delano advances to face No. 2-ranked and top-seeded Breck, which ended the Tigers’ season last year with a 3-2 double-overtime finish in the section finals.
 
“Losing to them the past two years (in sections), obviously you can tell how frustrated the seniors and juniors were, and to get another chance, it’s going to be a great game," Hjelle said.
 
Hjelle didn’t start in this season’s 9-7 loss to the Mustangs, but relieved Andrew Hance in the third period. Hjelle is in his first year on the varsity squad and hopes to get the start on Thursday as the Tigers attempt to advance to their first state tournament in program history. 
 
“(The first matchup) was a wide-open, wild-track game,” van Bergen said. “This is the game we wanted to play on Thursday night, and we’re excited to play them and have the chance to take that next step forward.” 

First Report

Brian Halonen’s first career hat trick boosted Delano to a 4-0 victory over Wright County Conference rival Orono in the Class 1A, Section 2 semifinals Tuesday night at Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis.
 
Ranked No. 9 in the Class 1A coaches’ poll, the Tigers (20-7) avenged a 2-1 loss to the Spartans (16-10-1) two weeks ago.
 
Halonen scored the game’s opening goal on the penalty kill, burying a rebound created by a Jesse Lawman shot past Orono goaltender Robbie Leslie halfway through the first period.
 
Brian and Gabe Halonen each added goals in the second period, and Brian notched the hat trick on an empty net goal in the final minutes of the third period.
 
Delano goaltender Jackson Hjelle had a 31-save shutout while Leslie stopped 27 of 30 shots for the Spartans.

Spotlight Game Coverage