Holy Family Catholic at Delano
7:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12

It’s usually a big game for both sides when Delano and Holy Family Catholic square off twice a season in Wright County Conference play.

This time, however, the stakes might bring the budding rivalry to a new level as the Tigers and Fire compete for control of first place in the league standings as two of the state’s strongest teams.

Delano has been crushing it offensively, averaging 6.55 goals per game. It’s nearly four goals ahead of what its allowing (2.64). 

Senior captains Brian Halonen (19-19-38) and Ben Meyers (22-26-48) continue to put up huge numbers for the No. 2-1A Tigers (9-1-1, 2-0-0), and both remain among the state’s leaders in top offensive categories.

Holy Family Catholic enters the week with a goals differential at plus-2.5 (4.08 goals for to 1.58 goals against). The No. 10-2A Fire (8-3-1, 3-0-0) earned a huge confidence boost with a 4-3 home win over Grand Rapids Friday night after going winless at the Sports Authority Holiday Classic in late December.

Holy Family Catholic is a streaky team that scores goals in bunches and has more than enough offensive skill to snap out of its late-December funk.

James Marooney (8-9-17), Nick Michel (7-10-17) and Ben Almquist (6-11-17) are tied for the team lead in points, while junior goalie Jared Moe boasts a .922 save percentage and 1.65 goals-against average through 12 games.