After a 3-3 tie against Holy Family Catholic on Dec. 2, Orono proved it could challenge the Fire for a Wright County Conference title. But after losing 3-2 to league foe Hutchinson on Jan. 16, the Spartans need a win against the Fire to keep pace in the conference title chase.
Orono remained on Holy Family Catholic's heels after notching single-goal victories over league foes No. 9-1A Delano and No. 6-1A Mound Westonka.
Jack Suchy (11-17-28) scored the game-winning goal with 59 seconds left in regulation to secure a 3-2 win against the White Hawks on Jan. 5 and assisted the overtime game-winner by Thomas Walker (10-15-25) in a 2-1 contest with the Tigers on Jan. 9.
The No. 4-1A Spartans (10-5-1, 5-1-1) may need to draw from those clutch performances to find a win in their second meeting with a red-hot Holy Family Catholic team.
The No. 5-2A Fire are riding an 11-game winning streak, with their last loss coming via a 4-1 decision to No. 2-2A St. Thomas Academy on Dec. 9.
Since then, Holy Family Catholic (14-2-1, 5-0-1) hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game. The Fire showed their mettle in a 3-2 overtime win over Lakeville South on Jan. 11, when leading scorer Ben Almquist (22-18-40) was held scoreless. St. Cloud State signee Brady Ziemer (5-19-24) fueled Holy Family Catholic’s offense with three assists in the game.