Owatonna Player Up for Weekly Award

Ezra Oien is adept at scoring goals. Whether it's on the soccer pitch or the ice rink, the Owatonna freshman has a knack for finding the back of the net. Her four-goal game at Rochester Mayo on November 16 caught the attention of the Minnesota Hockey Hub. Oien is up for their Top Performer of the Week Award. Online voting in this very unscientific poll continues through Sunday.

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Oien assisted on Abby Vetsch's goal early in the second period to open the scoring. She scored back-to-back goals late in the period, the second one on a nifty breakaway, to put the Huskies up 3-1. Oien added goals early and late in the third in the Huskies 6-1 win.

OHS coach Tony Cloud said, "Yeah, being to find the back of the net whether it's on the soccer field or at the hockey rink is special. She was second on our team in points (13 goals, 5 assists) last year as an eighth-grader and this year is her freshman year and she's only gotten better. It's nice to see her putting the puck in the net right away. She gets used to it, looking for more from her throughout the rest of the season." Cloud is also an assist coach on the soccer team.

Oien also scored a goal and added an assist in the season-opening 11-0 win over Rochester Century. She also scored a dynamic goal in Tuesday's 8-2 win at Mankato West. Oien scored on a shorthanded breakaway even after two players tried to trip her, the second one forcing Oien to somehow direct the puck on net even as she was flying through the air with legs having been taken out from underneath her.

In a slight effort at full disclosure, the other candidates had impressive games as well.

• Sophie Cronk, Stillwater, (goalie) stopped 32 shots in a shutout win.
• Katie Davis, Edina (forward) had six points in a win.
• Sarah Dravis, Lourdes (forward) is averaging 3.5 points per game.
• Grace Kisor, Minnesota River (goalie) stopped 57 shots in a win.
• Lacey Martin, Minnetonka (forward) had 10 points in three games.
• Ellie McDonald, East Grand Forks (goalie) stopped 42 shots in a win.
• Olivia Mobley, Breck (forward) tallied 11 points over three games.
• Bailey Olsen, Willmar (forward) had seven points over two games.

Voting continues through Sunday. The Huskies host top-20 ranked Mankato East Saturday, November 23 at 7 pm at the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna. It's parents' and grandparents' night. It starts a key five-game home stretch for OHS with significant section and conference opponents coming to play on Dudley Otto Rink.