Delano Pulls Away Late in Class A Quarterfinal

By Robert Brent

After entering the third period tied 2-2, Delano erupted for four unanswered goals to defeat Mankato West 6-2 at Grand Casino Arena, powered by an 11-point night from the Halonen trio.

The #2 seed Delano Tigers and #7-seeded Mankato West Scarlets kicked off the evening slate of the Class A Boys Hockey Tournament at Grand Casino Arena on Wednesday night. The game marked both teams’ first tournament appearances in some time, with the Scarlets’ first tournament action since 2016 and Delano’s first since 2021.

Delano ultimately emerged victorious, pulling away in the third period after going into the final frame tied at two goals a piece. Delano’s top lines proved to be too much offensively. 

The Tigers got on the board early with a goal from Lance Halonen after a tic-tac-toe passing play that started in the neutral zone. 

Delano followed up immediately, putting the puck in the back of the net once again. The play started with a huge save from goaltender Evan Geyen. After a transition attack, Dylan Nelson found himself with the puck in the slot, and he fired it home to extend the Tigers’ lead to 2-0.

Mankato West got a goal back on a net-front scramble after Evan Geyen couldn’t quite corral a shot. Brooks Baukol was the beneficiary, cleaning up the rebound to bring the game back to a one-goal deficit. 

The goal was the last of a frantic first period that saw Delano get the majority of shots on goal but hold just a one-goal lead.

Mankato West scored again early in the second period to tie the game. Brodie Cox beat the Delano goaltender on a redirected point shot from Brooks Baukol.

With 14 minutes remaining in the second period, Delano led the shot count 22-9, but a scrappy Mankato West team hung in the 2-2 contest. Moments later, the Tigers sustained pressure in the offensive zone, leading to Mankato West taking a penalty. Mankato West killed off the penalty to maintain the tie.

Mankato West took the next turn with an extra attacker. Like Delano’s opportunity, nothing came of it, keeping the score at 2-2. That score line remained as the clock ticked down in the period, leaving a decisive third period ahead. Delano led in shots, 31-12.

Scarlets goaltender Blake Brekke made several high-level saves throughout the first two periods to keep his team in the game.

While Brekke’s goal stood out, it was only a matter of time before Delano found the back of the net if they continued lodging shots on goal. That breakthrough came early in the third period when Daniel Halonen scored. The goal was an all-Halonen effort with assists going to  Lance Halonen and Bennett Halonen.

Delano added to their lead minutes later when Brady Kangas caused a turnover behind the net and flipped the puck to the front of the net. Lance Halonen was on the other end, and he fired it home for his second goal of the night.

The Tigers’ big guns added to their lead with five minutes remaining to put the game out of reach. This time it was Brady Kangas scoring after a Delano pass ricocheted off a Mankato West goaltender directly onto Kangas’ stick.

Delano put a final period on their victory with a goal as time expired. With just 5 seconds left in the game, Daniel Halonen slid the puck into the net to make the score 6-2. The Halonen’s combined for 11 points in the game. Tigers goaltender Evan Geyen made 25 saves in the winning effort.

The Tigers will take on the winner of Warroad vs Northern Lakes in the Class A semifinals.

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