Achterkirch Nets Hat Trick, Smith Scores Twice in Ice Sweep
Owatonna's boys' and girls' hockey teams scored 3-1 wins over Faribault Tuesday night. Margo Achterkirch notched a hat trick for the girls, who earned a season split with the Falcons. Nick Smith scored twice as the OHS boys picked up a four-point Big Nine victory.
In the girls' game at Four Seasons in Owatonna, the Falcons, who beat Owatonna 2-1 earlier this season, scored first. FHS got on the board just 1:09 into the first period as Olivia Williamson scored from Kayli Burkhartzmeyer. Achterkirch evened the game on the power play with her 23rd goal of the season on an assist from Maylynn Prokopec at 10:01 of the first.
Achterkirch scored a shorthanded marker at 3:24 of the second period and closed the scoring with an empty net goal in the closing seconds of the third period with assists from Prokopec and Chloe Schmidt for the 3-1 win. Laura Ebeling got the win in goal. OHS out shot Faribault 31-21.
The Huskies (13-4, 9-2 Big Nine) play Rochester Century at Graham Arena Thursday, January 18 at 7:30PM on Kat Kountry 105FM.
In Faribault, the Owatonna boys jumped to an early lead on Luke Kubicek's goal on an assist from Jacob Stoykovich 1:49 into the first period. The score stayed that way until the 12:46 mark of the second period. With OHS on the penalty kill, Mason Oland threw a shot on net and Nick Smith drilled home the rebound. Faribault answered in the closing seconds of the second period with a shorthanded, unassisted, breakaway goal by Leighton Weasler to pull within 2-1.
Owatonna's narrow lead held steady until Smith added his second goal of the night off a scrum in front of the net for the 3-1 final margin. OHS out shot Faribault 33-13, but sophomore goalie Spencer Ell made a number of fantastic saves. Owatonna went 0-for-5 on the power play, which included a five-minute major after a boarding penalty.
The Huskies (8-6-1, 5-1-1 Big Nine) face Rochester Century (11-3, 5-0) Thursday night at 7:30PM at the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna.