In scorers Asham Bell and David Lorenzen, Austin may have two of the most exciting junior-age hockey players in the state.

Friday, December 24, 1999

In scorers Asham Bell and David Lorenzen, Austin may have two of the most exciting junior-age hockey players in the state.

In seniors Tony Hill and Nate Hansen, two of the Big Nine’s toughest, smartest and skilled defensemen.

But in senior Kyle Olson, the team has what every team longs for – an MVP-type goaltender.

Against Owatonna at Riverside Arena on Thursday, Olson once again provided overwhelming evidence of his worth.

His 3-0 shutout of the Huskies was Olson’s third such win of the season and Austin’s fifth victory against no defeats. In five games, Olson has surrendered just four goals.

Of Olson’s 23 saves, a two-on-none thwarting and a stick-handle save of a slapshot stood out.

With Austin playing without Hansen, who bruised an Achilles tendon in practice on Wednesday, the ice opened up for Owatonna, which didn’t play like a 1-7 team in the matchup of old rivals.

The open ice forced Olson to step up and withstand numerous odd-man breaks and point-blank blasts.

Two days before Christmas, the all-smiles Olson played Grinch, stealing every Huskies’ opportunity, allowing no gifts.

"He’s been very focused for us," Austin coach Denny Laumeyer said. "His head has been in every game; he hasn’t given up the easy goal.

"He’s made the saves he should make and some he shouldn’t."

Olson talked about his approach after the game.

"I want to give the team a chance to win," he said. "All I focus on is keeping the puck in front of me – seeing the puck and stopping it."

After a scoreless first period that saw the Packers play what might have been their worst period of the season, Austin shined in the second.

The Packers got two goals in the period. The first came when Brandon Schaefer flew out of the penalty box and fed Josh Hansen, who banged home his sixth goal of the season.

On the second goal, Nick Bowe, positioned on the cusp of the crease, one-timed a beautifully on-target Lorenzen pass from the point.

Olson pointed to Lorenzen’s pass as the turning point in the game.

"It took the pressure off me," he said. "When our offense gets the lead, it helps me perform."

In the third, Tony Hill capped the scoring on a slapshot through traffic.

Austin (4-0 in the Big Nine) next plays in the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud beginning Tuesday.

Owatonna 0 0 0 – 0

Austin 0 2 1 – 3

Second period – 1) Austin, Josh Hansen (Brandon Schaefer), 4:31; 2) Austin, Nick Bowe (David Lorenzen, Asham Bell), 12:08.

Third period – 3) Austin, Tony Hill, (Schaefer, J. Hansen), 8:04.

Shots on goal – Austin 8 11 13 – 32; Owatonna 5 11 7 – 23.

Goalies – Austin, Olson 23; Owatonna, Mike Plante 26, Dave Warner 3.

Girls’ Hockey

Owatonna 8, Austin 2

Owatonna’s star freshman, Lindsay Macy, scored three goals and assisted on three others as the bigger Huskies took it to Austin.

Austin’s Melissa Dickhut scored both of the Packers’ goals. Bobee Jo Lang and Rhianna Jacobs assisted on both goals.

"It was a rough (road) game," Austin coach Denny Bray said. "They’re bigger and they played more aggressive and physical than us."

Austin (5-5, 4-2 in the Big Nine) next plays in the Fairmont Tournament beginning Monday.

Gymnastics

Owatonna 137.25, Austin 132.25

Austin sophomore Amy Bickler won the all-around competition, but the Packers lost the road meet.

Bickler finished with a four-event score of 35.7, beating out Owatonna’s Heidi Schewe (35.575) and Katie Taylor (33.9).

Bickler won the vault and bars. Teammate Jenna Bernardo was second on the vault. Suzanne Kooy finished second on the bars and floor.