21 January 2011

Boys Hockey: Sluggish start costly in 4-2 loss to Red Wing

Aaron Dahl (below) 37 saves
Tyler Grubb 23rd goal of the season
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
















A slow start coupled with a rash of untimely penalties cost the Tigers in a 4-2 Misssota Conference loss to Red Wing Thursday night, Jan. 20, at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
The Wingers, who went winless in nine non-conference games, raised their league mark to 4-3 while Farmington slipped to 8-9 overall and 3-5 in the conference.
The visitors rang up a pair of first period goals to take a lead they would never surrender.
"We got off to a sluggish start to say the least," Tiger coach Keith Revels said. "They outshot us 16-4 and we had two penalties to none for them. One of their goals came when we were shorthanded."
The second stanza featured seven penalties--four more for Farmington--and the Wingers made the most of their opportunities, scoring twice, including another power play goal.
The Tigers only answer came from Dan Handberg who netted a power play goal (from Zak Payne) of his own.
Tyler Grubb garnered his 23rd goal of the season for the only score of the final period.
Aaron Dahl drew his second straight start in net and finished with 37 saves in 41 shots, a save percentage of .902.
"The sluggish start was our demise," Revels said. "We played better as the game wore on, especially when we were five-on-five. Our depth was compromised by all of the specialty play."
The Tigers take a break from Missota Conference play Tuesday Jan. 25, when they entertain Bloomington Kennedy at Schmitz-Maki Arena.