Quick Goals Propel Huskies Past Mankato East

Owatonna's girls and boys hockey teams overcame a big of adversity on the way to solid wins over rated Mankato East teams on Thursday. The girls trailed 1-0 after one period but stormed ahead with a four-goal second on the way to a 6-1 win on Dudley Otto Rink at Four Seasons Centre. Olivia Herzog turned a pure hat trick. The Husky boys saw a 2-0 lead evaporate, but responded quickly in a 6-2 victory at All Seasons Arena in Mankato.

The No. 16 ranked East girls scored late in the first period for a 1-0 lead at intermission. The Huskies grabbed the momentum in the second period as Herzog scored scored a pure hat trick in less than a six-minute span.

It was an unusual hat trick for another reason said coach Tony Cloud, "Hers was a little different. Three special team goals and three back-to-back goals in the second period. The first two coming on the power play. And our power play has been doing very good this season. It helps having the same unit we have had together for two years now...She's definitely got enough creativity and speed to go out and score in any given circumstance."

Herzog also had an assist. Ezra Oien had a goal and two assists. See the score sheet from Hockey Hub. No. 19 ranked OHS hosts Austin Monday, March 1 in an AM 1390 KRFO broadcast, also simulcasting at 94.7 FM.

The OHS boys led 2-0 early in the first at Mankato. No. 12 rated East answered with goals late in first and early in the second period to tie the game at 2-2. Owatonna closed on a three-goal outburst in the period, including tallies 11 seconds apart from Tanner Stendel and Casey Johnson.

Dom Valento had two goals and two assists. Coach Josh Storm said, "I thought Dom Valento was our spark of the night. And he was the best player on the ice for both teams. It was a really good game for him. I'm really proud of his effort."

See the Hockey Hub score sheet.

The Huskies go to Albert Lea Tuesday, March 2.