Blades Hockey Drops Season Opener

The junior hockey season is underway for the Steele County Blades. They dropped a 7-4 decision to the Minnesota Mullets in a game played at Augsburg University in Minneapolis Wednesday, September 30. Steele County goes to Wisconsin to play the Dells Ducks October 2 and 3. The Blades home opener is Friday, October 9 at Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna against Hudson, WI.

On Wednesday, the Blades jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first eight minutes. Goals came from veterans Connor Lee (Sydney, Australia) at 3:33 and Cobie Morrisey (Cedar Falls, IA) at 6:15, plus newcomer Adam Heide (Sioux Center, IA) at 8:08. The Mullets responded with a pair of markers in the next 90 seconds and the score was 3-2 after the first period.

Minnesota's Elliot Van Orsdel (Eveleth, MN) potted the first of his two goals seven minutes into the second period to tie the contest at 3-3. Steele County retook the lead less than three minutes later on Lee's second goal. Evan Axell (Plymouth, MN) notched his third assist on the play.

The Mullets scored back-to-back before second intermission to take a 5-4 lead and had the final four goals overall for the 7-4 come-from-behind win. Steele County continued to have good scoring chances and several power play opportunities in the closing minutes but Minnesota's Alex Falkenhagen (Thornhill, Ontario) turned aside 44 of the 48 shots the Blades registered.

Blades goalies Michael Leighton (Ann Arbor, MI) and Jeffrey Mailhot (Trols-Rivieres, Quebec CA) both played for Steele County and combined for 31 saves on 38 shots. View the game sheet from the US Premier Hockey League.

Anders Thorager (Stillwater, MN) made his Blades' debut. His father is David Thorager, an Owatonna High School graduate. Current OHS senior Wyatt Oldefendt is also part of the Steele County roster. Three players from Faribault are part of the team: Noah Murphy, Jordan Mawrocki, and Zack Slinger.

Alex Bren (Detroit Lakes, MN) had two goals and an assist for the Mullets. Veteran Minnesota defenseman Ben Borreson (Tomah, WI) had a good day with a goal and an assist. Gabe Vijuk (Chicago) also had a goal and a helper.