Offensive struggles keep Huskies muzzled

Two losses found their way onto the Huskies’ record last week as the Owatonna girls hockey team tries to find its footing to begin the season.

The team’s early stumbles have been primarily due to a lack of offensive production, with the team scoring two or less goals in all four games.

Owatonna’s latest losses came at the hands of Northfield and Rosemount with the latter sending the Huskies packing 4-1 despite a strong start for the Huskies.

Rosemount scored first just three minutes into the game on a powerplay goal that stemmed from a cross-checking penalty by Huskies’ junior defenseman Norah Cederstrom.

Owatonna managed to create opportunities for itself in the first period and was ultimately rewarded with a goal on a stellar solo-effort by junior forward Grace Mitchell, who tucked in a shot on an unassisted play.

Mtichell’s marker tied the score at 1-1 with 4:15 left to play in the first period and would go on to be the last goal of the frame.

The second period got off to a rocky start for Rosemount with three minor penalties in the first eight minutes, but luckily for the aptly named Irish, the team would go on to kill all three infractions successfully.

Despite the chaos of the first half of the period, Rosemount would go on to score the lone goal on an even strength opportunity with 4:29 left to take a 2-1 lead heading into the third.

Owatonna’s hopes were all but dashed early in the final period when Rosemount scored two goals in the opening 5:25 to take a 4-1 lead.

The Huskies had no answer for the quick onslaught and were unable to cash in on two more Rosemount penalties in what would end as a three-goal win for the Irish.

Earlier in the week, Owatonna hosted Northfield and faced a similar game script in a 4-2 loss.

The Huskies escaped the first period in a 0-0 tie, but had to fight for every possession after allowing three power-play opportunities to the Raiders.

While the first period was slow going, the second was action-packed with Northfield kicking off the scoring just two minutes in on a flashy cross-crease one-timer that beat Huskies’ goaltender Sawyer Born.

Just 4:34 later, Northfield was celebrating again after a backhanded shot beat Born on a clean breakaway for the Raiders.

Northfield added one more goal to end the second period on a screened shot from the point to lead 3-0 heading into the third.

Another Raiders goal seven minutes into the final frame effectively put the game out of reach.

Owatonna managed to score twice in the third period on shots from Kaylee Butler and Kendra Bogen, but the two markers were too late to make a comeback.

The Huskies traveled to Mankato West for a matchup with the Scarlets on Tuesday, Nov. 25, however, stats and results were not available at the time of press.

The team’s next game will be at home against Red Wing on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

Player Stats

vs. Northfield

               G    A    P

Butler       1    1    2

Bogen     1    0    1

Noble      0    1    1

                    SA  SV  GA

Born       36   32   4