hockey

The big hurdle came last Saturday with their come-from-behind win over Albert Lea, but Thursday night the Owatonna wrestlers wrapped up the Big Nine title with a 43-18 win over Faribault at the OHS gym. The Huskies' boys' basketball squad won their 12th in a row Thursday, 73-59 at St. Michael-Albertville. Owatonna's boys' hockey team struck first at No. 2A Mahtomedi, but lost to the speedy Zephyrs 5-1.

Owatonna's girls' hockey team opened the Section 1AA playoffs with a 3-2 upset win over Rochester Mayo at Graham Arena Wednesday night. The sixth-seeded Huskies never trailed while beating the No. 3 seed Spartans. It was the fourth meeting between the teams this season and Owatonna's second win. In Mayo's two victories they scored late in regulation and won in overtime. The stage was set for a similar finish Wednesday.

Owatonna and Rochester Mayo meet for the fourth time this season Wednesday at 7PM at Graham Arena in Rochester in the quarterfinal round of the Section 1AA playoffs on KRFO AM1390. The Huskies have led late in each of the three previous games, but Mayo scored late in the third twice and went on to win those games in overtime. The Spartans have also limited Margo Achterkirch, Owatonna's leading scorer, to no goals and just two assists this season.

Owatonna was moments away from a second straight season sweep of Rochester Mayo Monday night at Graham Arena. Eighth-grade forward Maddox Fleming put an end to that celebration with a blast from the blue line to tie the score at 2-2 with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Neither team scored in overtime despite each having a power play and the game ended in a draw.

Owatonna's girls' and boys' hockey teams made treks into the Twin Cities Saturday for non-conference games against ranked opponents. The OHS girls lost 6-0 to No. 9AA Wayzata. Owatonna's boys dropped a 5-2 decision at No. 15A South St. Paul. Playoffs begin for the Owatonna girls Wednesday.

The Owatonna boys' hockey team built a 3-0 lead by early in the second period and held on for a 3-2 win over Rochester John Marshall at the Rec Center Thursday night. The win earns the Huskies a season split with JM and keeps alive hopes for a home playoff game according to OHS coach Josh Storm.

Tuesday was a tough night for the Owatonna hockey teams. Northfield had a strong start at the Four Seasons Centre on their way to a 6-2 win and season split with the OHS boys. The Huskies' girls lost in overtime to Rochester Mayo at Graham Arena, their second OT loss to the Spartans this season.

Owatonna and Northfield have quickly developed a great Big Nine Conference rivalry since the Raiders rejoined the league a few years ago. Northfield has had the upper hand for the most part this winter. On Tuesday, Owatonna's basketball teams will be looking for a season split with Northfield while the OHS boys' hockey team aims for a season sweep.

Sophomore Leighton Weasler finished off a hat trick with a game-winning, overtime goal as Faribault beat Winona 4-3 Monday afternoon in a makeup game at the Faribault Ice Arena. Weasler found the back of the net through a crowd of players gathered around the Winhawks goalie. Winona rallied with a pair of goals late in the third period to force overtime.

Dalton Kubista scored 32 points to pace Owatonna to a 76-49 make game victory Saturday night over Mankato West at OHS. The win was the Huskies eighth in a row with a showdown against Northfield coming up Tuesday on the road.