Speaking of unbeatens, Northfield and Owatonna also have yet to lose — in the Big 9 Conference, where games typically haven’t been competitive for either team.
Northfield (7-2-0, 5-0-0) has defeated its five Big 9 foes by a combined 33-2. The Raiders are led by Jessica Boland, a junior committed to Minnesota State Mankato, who has 12 goals and 11 assists, and sophomore goaltender Maggie Malecha (.942 save percentage, 1.44 goals against average).
Owatonna (7-0-0, 7-2-0) slipped past Faribault 5-4 in overtime on Dec. 10 in the Big 9 Game of the Year (until this one, anyway) behind junior forward Anna Herzog’s winner in the extra period. Freshman Ezra Oien’s 14 goals and 20 points lead the Huskies, who have defeated their other conference opponents by a combined 49-4.