Warroad Defeats Delano With Strong Second Period in Minnesota High School Boys Hockey State Tournament Semifinal

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The No. 3 Warroad Warriors (24-5-1) defeated the No. 2 Delano Tigers (23-5-2) 6-3 in the 2026 MSHSL boys hockey state tournament Class 1A semifinal on Friday at Grand Casino Arena.

Delano senior forward Daniel Halonen scored twice to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead entering the second period.

“When they scored, our whole bench deflated,” Warroad head coach Jay Hardwick said. “I was trying to tell them that there is a lot of game left. […] We came out in the second and third and played more of our game.”

The Warriors scored three goals in 88 seconds to take the lead. Gavin Andersen, Mooney Shaugabay and Broden Hontvet scored in what felt like an avalanche of momentum for the Warriors.

“We just took over after that,” Broden Hontvet said.

The Warriors grew stronger in the second and third period while Delano tried to regain any momentum.

The Tigers tied the game in the third period, but the Warriors responded with a goal by Andersen 39 seconds later. He was open right in front of the net to score on a pass from Rodrick Jackson.

“I think we left the front of the net just way to open for them,” Delano senior forward Brody Geislinger said. “I think we got into bad spots. They worked it really well.”

Despite the loss, this was Delano’s first state tournament semifinal appearance in school history. They’ll play for third place at Grand Casino Arena tomorrow.

“It speaks to what our league is supposed to be about, which is a bunch of kids that grow up, they play together,” Delano head coach Gerrit van Bergen said. “Everybody knows where they live.”

Warroad will try for its first state title win since 2025.

“This is what we dream of,” Andersen said. “Let’s go get it.”

Warroad vs. Delano: Live Score Recap of Minnesota High School Boys Hockey State Tournament Class 1A Semifinal

The teams are on the ice for introductions.

FIRST PERIOD UPDATES

The game is underway.

Power play for Delano! Warroad's Taylor Humeniuk gets called for hooking — 11:09

GOAL DELANO! Daniel Halonen drove to the net and skated around Warroad goalie Patrick Kennedy during the power play. Assist by Jackson Wollak and Evan Geyen — Delano 1, Warroad 0 — 9:10

Six minutes remain in the period, and Warroad has a 7-4 shots on goal advantage.

GOAL DELANO! Daniel Halonen gets another goal, this time he buried a pass from Lance Halonen, who was skating with the puck down the left side of the ice. Lance centered the pass, and Daniel scored. Austin Kazin with the assist as well — Delano 2, Warroad 0 — 3:32

Power play for Delano! Ayven Hontvet gets two minutes for slashing — 1:14

END OF FIRST PERIOD: Delano 2, Warroad 0

SOG
Delano: 10
Warroad: 9

SECOND PERIOD UPDATES

The second period is underway.

Warroad gets back to full strength after killing the remainder of the penalty — 16:14 remaining in the second period.

GOAL WARROAD! Gavin Anderson's shot deflected off a Delano player on its way to the net . Assist by Casey Hendrickson and Wesley Schriener— Delano 2, Warroad 1 — 15:28

GOAL WARROAD! The game tied after Mooney Shaugabay scored when the puck bounced off the boards and back toward the goal. Assist by Anderson, Gavin and Rodrick Jackson— Delano 2, Warroad 2 — 15:16

Power play for Warroad! Daniel Halonen gets two minutes for elbowing — 14:43

GOAL WARROAD! Broden Hontvet gets the credit for the goal, and the Warriors have the lead. Assist by Ayven Hontvet and and Anderson— Warroad 3, Delano 2 — 14:00

Five minutes remain, and Warroad continued to control the period. The Warriors have a 9-4 SOG advantage in the period.

END OF SECOND PERIOD: Warroad 3, Delano 2

SOG
Warroad: 18
Delano: 14

GOAL DELANO! The Tigers tie the game on a power play after Warroad's Wesley Schriner was called for tripping. Brady Kangas scored for the Tigers — Warroad 3, Delano 3 — 15:39

GOAL WARROAD! Rodrick Jackson had the puck by the boards, and he backhanded it toward Anderson, who was open in front of the goal. Thomas Grapentine with the assist as well — Warroad 4, Delano 3 — 14:00

GOAL WARROAD! Conner Lund's shot from the blue line slipped through Delano goalie Evan Geyen and stopped just short of the goal line, but Casey Hendrickson was there to tap it in. Mason Reed with the assist as well — Warroad 5, Delano 3 — 10:24

Warroad had a 2-on-0 opportunity and a chance alone in front of the net moments later, but the Warriors can't convert to extend their lead — 5:43

Again the Warriors have breakaway chances, but they can't convert. Rodrick Jackson had a great chance, but he whiffed on his shot — 3:40

Delano pulls its goalie with 1:30 remaining and trailing by two goals.

GOAL WARROAD! Shaugabay scores the open net goal for the Warriors.

FINAL: Warroad 6, Delano 3

SOG
Warroad: 37
Delano: 26

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