Orono suffered just its second loss of the season on Tuesday, a 3-1 setback against Chanhassen that included an empty-net goal for the Storm in the closing seconds. The loss does nothing to diminish the aura of the No. 4-1A Spartans (10-2-0), one of only a handful of small-school teams with a lineup capable of challenging a top-5 Class 2A team such as No. 4-2A Chanhassen (13-1-0).
Standout goaltender Brock Peyton’s recent return from injury adds to Orono’s already brimming talent pool (he stopped 30 of 32 shots against Chanhassen) as it heads into Thursday’s showdown with Highway 12 rival Delano (just 12 miles separate the west metro towns). Avery Anderson (22 points) and Bradley Walker (21 points) have done the bulk of the Spartans’ scoring.
Seniors Will Brown (8 goals) and Aaron Lewis (7 goals) lead a top-heavy Delano offense — no other Tiger has more than four goals. No. 9-1A Delano (7-5-0) has won seven of nine after an 0-3-0 start.