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Warroad defeats Delano in Class 1A top-five showdown

By Drew Herron, SportsEngine, 02/19/22, 1:00PM CST

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The Warriors prevailed 4-1 over the Tigers in what could be a preview of a state tournament game.


A stunned Delano student section looks on as Warroad celebrates Erick Comstock's (left) second period goal that pushed the Warriors' lead to three Saturday. Warroad defeated Delano 4-1. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Warroad coach Jay Hardwick was concerned how his team might start Saturday afternoon.

On the road, in front of a packed house at Delano and in a top-five matchup should be enough cause of concern for Hardwick.

Generally when northern teams make trips to the greater metro, they will stack up games for Friday and Saturday to justify the distance, cost and the opportunity of spending a dozen hours on a bus. But Friday brought something different for the boys from Warroad in a night out to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul to take in a Wild game. 


Warroad junior forward Jayson Shaugabay carries the puck while Delano defenseman Craig Halnonen pursues during the first period. Shaugabay scored his 21st goal of the season as the Warriors skated to a 4-1 win. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

First Report

Warroad senior Matt Hard scored just one minute, 23 seconds into the first period Saturday afternoon at Delano, and the host Tigers never recovered, allowing the Warriors to skate to a 4-1 victory in a highly-anticipated showdown between a pair of Class 1A top-five teams. 

The Warriors (21-3-1), ranked second in the coaches’ poll released Feb. 17, killed penalties, worked their gritty defense and received superb goaltending to spoil senior day for No. 3-ranked Delano (18-7-0) and put a bow on the regular season.

Defensemen Carson Pilgrim (two assists) and Carson Reed (a goal and an assist) helped lead the way with strong two-way performances, while goaltender Hampton Slukynsky came within five minutes of notching his ninth shutout of the season, making 25 saves in the process. 

Delano’s lone score came from Avery Peterson, who spoiled Slukynsky’s shutout bid with 4:43 remaining. 

The section playoffs begin next week for both teams. Warroad has earned the top seed in Section 8A, while Delano awaits its seeding in Section 2A, expected to be released sometime Saturday evening. 


Warroard goalie Hampton Slukynsky stops a prime scoring chance from Delano's Caden Bruett during the second period Saturday. Slukynsky stopped 25 of 26 shots to earn his 21s win of the season in net. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

The MN Hockey Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.

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