The Owatonna girls' hockey season opened with a 4-1 victory over Mankato East. They play at Albert Lea on Saturday. The Steele County Blades are home Saturday and Sunday.

With temperatures still peaking in the 60s this week, it's hard to believe the high school hockey season has arrived. Meanwhile the junior hockey season for the Steele County Blades is approaching the midway point.

The Owatonna High School girls opened their season with a 4-1 win over Mankato East on Thursday at the Four Seasons Centre. Senior Jessica "Betty" VonRuden potted a pair of goals. The first came just 5:34 into the first period. Junior Jenna Bogen and senior Meghan Rethemeier each added a goal. Rethemeier is back after most of her junior season with an injury. Sophomore Laura Ebeling made her varsity debut in goal, stopping 14 of the 15 shots she saw. The Huskies had a solid defensive effort, including a nice game from sophomore Rilee Schmidt.

Owatonna goes to Albert Lea on Saturday for a 1PM face off. Eighth-grade goalie Asia Buryska will get the nod for her first varsity start. The Huskies play top-10-ranked Red Wing on Thursday, November 12, in a game to be broadcast on KRFO AM 1390. The Wingers went through the Big Nine season without a loss last winter and won the Section 1A crown.

The Blades junior hockey club starts its weekend at Wisconsin Rapids on Friday night. They host Illiana on Saturday at 7PM and Sunday at 3PM at Four Seasons. Steele County won their last outing, a 5-4 victory over St. Croix Valley.

High school boys hockey practice begins Monday, November 9. Owatonna's season opens Saturday, November 21, versus St. Paul Academy / Summit School at Four Seasons at 1PM.

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