Owatonna Skates to Lopsided Victory

The Owatonna High School girls hockey team moved back into the win column and into a first-place tie with Faribault atop the Big Nine Conference standings with their 8-0 win over Albert Lea at Four Seasons Centre Saturday, December 7. The Huskies host the Falcons Tuesday, December 10 in a game to be heard on Power 96 radio and on the free downloadable Power 96 app.

The Huskies Ezra Oien and Sydney Hunst are H & R Block Stat Sheet Stuffers for being among the state leaders in goals and assists, respectively. H & R Block Owatonna, Lakeville, Faribault. Upfront Transparent Pricing, The Way Tax Preparation Should Be.

In Saturday's four-point conference game, the Huskies zipped out to a quick lead. Oien scored the first of her four goals 3:08 into the first period. Hunst assisted. Olivia Herzog scored eight seconds later with an assist from her sister Anna. Oien and Chloe Schmidt added goal later for a 4-0 lead at intermission.

Hunst scored from Oien late in the second period and Oien completed her hat trick in the final minute of the middle frame to set the stage for running time in the third period. Oien notched her fourth goal of the game and 12th of the season 42 seconds into the third. Olivia Herzog completed the scoring for the 8-0 win.

Twelve goals puts Oien tied for 13th in the state according to the Girls Hockey Hub. Hannah Corneliusen leads the state with 23 goals, as of December 7. Faribault's Olivia Williamson is tied for second in the state with 18 goals. Hunst had four assists Saturday, giving her nine on the season. That puts her in a tie for 36th in the state.

Asia Buryska got the shutout win in goal, making eight saves. OHS had 39 shots on net.

Regarding Tuesday's match up with Faribault, Owatonna coach Tony Cloud said, "They've got Olivia Williamson. She's been scoring points left and right this season. We're are of what they're bringing. They've had a good start to the season. Another tough test on Tuesday. We're just looking forward to winning a few conference games hopefully."

The No. 18 ranked Falcons beat New Ulm Saturday. Faribault (9-1, 6-1 Big Nine) has only lost to defending Big Nine champ Northfield.