Owatonna Comeback Falls Short
After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, Northfield held on to top Owatonna 3-2 Thursday night at the Northfield Ice Arena in a non-conference boys hockey game. The teams will meet for a third time on Saturday, March 6 at Four Seasons in Owatonna at 7:30 pm. The Huskies beat the Raiders 4-3 on Dudley Otto Rink earlier this season.
Raider Carson VanZuilen scored three straight goals, midway through the first, early in the second and again midway through the second period. Owatonna went on a major power play late in the second after a hit knocked the Huskies Casey Pederson from the game.
Tanner Stendel scored two power play goals in the closing minutes of the second period with assists from Wyatt Oldefendt and Casey Johnson on the first one and Dom Valento and Zach Kubicek on the second. OHS trailed 3-2 after two.
The Huskies had several grade-A chances in the third period but just missed the net a couple of times. Northfield sophomore net minder Keaton Walock made several highlight saves as well. Stendel, Valento, and Aaron Bangs all had good opportunities to tie the game. Kubicek was denied by Walock with about two minutes to go despite a great move to the net by the Owatonna senior.
The game, and Saturday's rematch, could have an impact on the section seedings. Owatonna (9-4-1) and Northfield (9-4) are two of six teams with a winning record in 1AA.
The OHS girls lost 4-1 to Northfield Thursday at Four Seasons Centre, getting swept by the Big Nine champion Raiders. Northfield opened the scoring midway through the first period. Lillian Hunst evened the game at 10:05 with an assist from Samantha Bogen. But Northfield went back ahead 22 seconds later.
The Raiders outshot the Huskies 23-19. See the Hockey Hub score sheet.
Owatonna wrestling wrapped up its regular season with a triangular against two of the top teams in the state. The No. 12AAA Huskies lost to No. 1AAA Shakopee 38-26 and to No. 2AA Kasson-Mantorville 52-15. The section team tournament begins Wednesday, March 10.
In boys basketball Thursday, WEM beat Medford 60-39, Hayfield topped Blooming Prairie 78-39, Waseca beat Waconia 77-62, and Austin edged Mankato West 68-63.
In girls basketball Thursday, WEM topped Medford 70-34, Lake City beat Triton 89-33, and Northfield edged Red Wing 69-62.
Hockey fans love to talk about hair. The following are some things you can put in your hair, though I don't know why you would.