Huskies repeat as Big Nine Champs

The Owatonna Huskies girls hockey team gave fans who traveled to Northfield last weekend a reason to cheer after taking down the Raiders 4-2 to secure the Big Nine Conference title and cap the regular season.

In two games against the Northfield this season, Owatonna swept the series and turned the tables on the same team that knocked them out of the Section 1AA semifinals in 2021-22.

“It’s awesome for our team and also for the momentum we’re working with right now. We always know going into games against Northfield that it’s going to be a tight competition. They’re tough against us, and we’re the same for them. But I’m excited about the playoffs, the run we’re on, and the team with how well they’ve all come together,” said Owatonna Head Coach Tony Cloud.

Fans didn’t have to wait long for the game to get intense between the two powerhouse sides as Northfield fell victim to an early penalty just 23 seconds in, giving Owatonna the first powerplay.

The Huskies wasted no time with the man advantage and capitalized 36 seconds later on a goal by senior defenseman Abby Vetsch to take a 1-0 lead 59 seconds into the first period.

Northfield fans were forced to watch in dismay as former Raider Ava Stanchina notched an assist on the opening score alongside Samantha Bogen.

The Huskies held their 1-0 lead late into the first period but could not hit the locker rooms with it intact as Northfield potted a goal with just over two minutes remaining in the period to even the score.

Both sides hit the ice in a fury to begin the second period, but once again Owatonna’s offense came alive first.

As if one point from Stanchina wasn’t enough to silence her former home crowd, the senior went on to record her second point on an unassisted, even-strength goal 3:20 into the second period.

With it returned Owatonna’s lead and another eruption from the Huskies’ fan section.

Yet, the scoring was by no means finished.

Less than three minutes later, Owatonna’s Averi Vetsch was awarded a penalty shot during a drive to the net after a Raiders defender was rung up for tripping.

The sophomore forward wasted no time in extending her team’s lead and beat the Raiders’ goaltender with a quick wrist shot to make the score 3-1.

Owatonna managed to keep a clean sheet in the second period to enter the third period with a two-goal advantage.

For the third time in as many periods, Owatonna came out hot with a goal inside the first five minutes as junior forward Samantha Bogen cashed in on an even-strength goal assisted by Izzy Radel.

Now leading 4-1, the Huskies looked primed to dispose of the Raiders by a wide margin, but Northfield would not go down without a fight.

Instead, a hooking penalty by Owatonna’s Stanchina led to a Raiders’ powerplay goal to cut the lead to 4-2 with 9:55 remaining.

Stanchina’s penalty would be the first of three that she would take in a chippy third period between the two teams.

Fortunately for Owatonna, no harm was done as the penalty kill and defense stood tall, earning the Huskies a 4-2 win and another Big Nine Conference title as the final buzzer sounded.

Huskies players flew over the bench and swarmed goaltender Mikayla Wilker in net as the royal blue and silver loyals in the crowd cheered on.

Wilker made 29 saves on 31 shots to secure the win, while Stanchina and Bogen teamed up for two points apiece to lead the team on offense.

Earlier in the week, Owatonna earned another massive win by beating Rochester Mayo 3-0 on the road.

After a scoreless first period, Owatonna took a 2-0 lead after the second behind goals from Molly Achterkirch and Ezra Oien and capped the game with a dagger from Bogen in the third.

Leah Spencer was perfect in net, making saves on all 10 shots she faced.

Owatonna’s two wins last week pushed the team’s winning streak to 10 games.

The Huskies were given the No. 3 seed in the Section 1AA tournament and faced Rochester Century/John Marshall at home on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

Stats and results from the game were unavailable at the time of press.

Player Stats

vs. Northfield

                     G     A     P

Stanchina          1      1      2

S. Bogen           1      0      1

Ab. Vetsch         1      0      1

Av. Vetsch         1      0      1

Radel                 0      1      1

                            SV   SA   GA

Wilker                 29   31   2