After sharing the Big 9 Conference title with Northfield a season ago, Owatonna is vying for its first outright league championship in program history this spring. With a victory over Mankato on May 14, the Huskies will be position to secure the crown against Rochester Century on Friday.
Owatonna (8-2, 8-0) beat the Panthers 9-6 on April 26 before falling to St. Thomas Academy 9-3 two days later. Since then, the Huskies have won five straight games, averaging 15 goals per contest. Faceoff specialist Noah Brandt has been a contributor to his team’s offensive growth, winning 75 percent of his draws during the run.
Brandt won 15 of 18 draws in the first game with the Panthers and may need a similar performance in the rematch with Rochester Century (3-3, 3-2) looking to gain momentum as the postseason looms.
A victory over the Huskies could help the Panthers build confidence, as will a big game from FOGO Garrett Pavelko, who aims to improve upon his six wins in the circle from last meeting. Getting and keeping possession may be the best strategy for Rochester Century to pull the upset.