Tough Friday Night: Owatonna Skaters, Cagers Drop Games

Owatonna's high school sports teams came up short on Friday against formidable foes. The boys' hockey team dropped its home-opener 3-1 to East Ridge in front of a big crowd at Four Seasons Centre. The OHS girls' basketball team lost their season opener 62-31 at Mankato West, a state tournament team last winter. The Huskies' girls' hockey team fell 3-0 at perennial section contender Dodge County 3-0.

On Dudley Otto Rink at the Four Seasons Centre, the boys' hockey team got burned on a couple of costly turnovers that led to goals for the visiting Raptors. East Ridge went up 1-0 at 5:47 of the first period. OHS answered at 12:16 Zach Kubicek got the puck to the net for Casey Anderson to tip it in, the first varsity point for each sophomore.

East Ridge regained the lead late in the second period on a rebound goal and added another early in the third on a turnover that led to a short breakaway for the 3-1 final score. Junior goalie Zach Wiese played solid in his first start and was the KRFO/TPS Insurance Player of the Game.

Owatonna (1-1) hosts Winona Thursday, December 6 at 7 pm on KRFO AM 1390, the KRFO app and on OwatonnaLive.com with KRFO's audio simulcast.

The Huskies' girls' basketball team rallied with a 12-2 run late in the first half at West High School to pull within 23-18 at the break. But the Scarlets went on a 15-0 run to start the second half on the way to the 62-31 victory. OHS had about 30 turnovers in the game. The Huskies entertain Northfield Tuesday, December 4 on KRFO AM 1390, the KRFO app and on OwatonnaLive.com with the KRFO simulcast.

OHS girls' hockey fell in Kasson 3-0 to the Wildcats.The score sheet from the Minnesota Hockey Hub shows Dodge County out-shooting Owatonna 43-6. The Wildcats scored one goal in each period, including a short-handed, empty-netter to cap the scoring. Owatonna is off until Saturday, December 8 at Simley, which will be carried on KRFO AM 1390 and the KRFO app.