Mayo Ties Owatonna with Late Goal
Owatonna was moments away from a second straight season sweep of Rochester Mayo Monday night at Graham Arena. Eighth-grade forward Maddox Fleming put an end to that celebration with a blast from the blue line to tie the score at 2-2 with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Neither team scored in overtime despite each having a power play and the game ended in a draw.
With time running out in the third period, it appeared Mayo might not get a chance to pull their goalie for an extra attacker. But with 17 seconds remaining, Owatonna was whistled for icing. Mayo used its time-out, pulled its goalie and found the equalizer. Mayo peppered the Owatonna goal with 15 shots in the third period and outshot the Huskies 35-19.
The Huskies had an early chance to score in overtime but it was Owatonna's only good opportunity of the extra session, despite a power play five minutes into overtime. OHS was called on a penalty in the closing minute of overtime and Mayo kept up the pressure, but sophomore goalie Zach Wiese kept the Spartans out of the goal.
The Huskies went 2-for-7 on the power play, converting quickly twice. Nate Smith scored seven seconds into a man-advantage situation 5:56 into the first period. Nick Smith and Tyler Wencl assisted. Midway through the second period, Walker Nelson scored on a drive from the blue line after a faceoff win by Luke Kubicek five seconds into a power play.
Owatonna (10-9-2, 7-3-2 Big Nine) plays at No. 2A Mahtomedi Thursday, February 8 at 7:30PM on Kat Kountry 105FM. Mayo (10-11-1, 5-6-1) hosts John Marshall Thursday.
Rochester Century completed a home-and-home sweep of John Marshall over a three-day span to stay unbeaten in the Big Nine. The Panthers won 5-2 on Saturday and 4-0 on Monday. One was a makeup game. Century (17-3-1, 10-0-1) is tied with Northfield (15-5-1, 11-3) with 20 conference points.
High school scoreboard for Monday, February 5
Boys' hockey
Owatonna 2, Rochester Mayo 2 (overtime tie)
Albert Lea 6, Red Wing 4
Dodge County 3, Austin 2
Northfield 5, New Ulm 5 (overtime tie)
Rochester Century 4, John Marshall 0
Waseca 8, Winona 1