Apple Valley Hands Owatonna Boys Hockey Season-Opening Loss

Apple Valley scored three goals in the first six minutes on their home ice and beat Owatonna 8-3 Thursday night. It was the Huskies' season-opening game.

The Eagles scored 17 seconds into the game, added a goal at 2:49 and converted on a long shot at the six-minute mark that forced Owatonna coach Josh Storm to make a goaltender switch. Apple Valley extended the lead to 4-0 in the closing minute of the first.

The Huskies were 0-for-4 on the power play in the first period, but got on the board on a man-advantage 1:05 into the second period on a shot from the point by Mitchell Wiese. Mitchell Mayer and Carter Broton assisted. Apple Valley answered at 2:34 and that pattern continued through the rest of the middle frame. Wiese added his second goal at 4:01 with an assist from Nick Smith. Nate Smith scored late in the period with an assist from Kodey Kiel. Each Owatonna goal was answered by an Apple Valley marker. The second period ended with the Huskies down 7-3.

The Eagles (2-1) scored the only goal of the third shorthanded near the midway point for the 8-3 final. Apple Valley outshot Owatonna 30-18. OHS went 1-for-7 on the power play. The Eagles were 2-for-3 with the extra skater.

Apple Valley won the JV game 6-3.

Owatonna (0-1) opens its home schedule Friday night versus St. Francis at 7PM at the Four Seasons Centre. Fans are invited to wear black as the team shows off its new black jerseys for the game.

The Owatonna Blue Line Club hosts the Windsor Chop fundraising banquet Saturday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Owatonna. Social time begins at 5:30PM with dinner at 6:30PM. The night includes player introductions and live and silent auctions. Tickets are available at Kottke Jewelers.

The bigger event on the Apple Valley campus Thursday night was a showdown between the top two AAA wrestling teams in the state. Shakopee knocked off Apple Valley 29-28, which was the first conference loss for the Eagles since 1991.

Owatonna girls hockey defeated Mankato West 7-1 Thursday night. The OHS girls basketball team lost its season opener at Rosemount 66-41.