28 November 2012

Girls Hockey: Wayzata downs Tigers 3-1


Michaela Tonsager (No. 6) surrounded by teammates after scoring second period goal (photo by Jim Lindquist)
The Tigers had plenty of opportunities Tuesday night at Schmitz-Maki Arena, especially in a penalty-filled third period, but couldn't put the puck away in a 3-1 non-conference loss to Wayzata.

The defeat was the third straight for coach Jon Holmes' team and dropped its season record to 1-4.

The visitors got the better of the play for most of the first two periods but led just 3-1 despite holding a decisive 33-7 advantage in shots on goal.

Michaela Tonsager registered the Farmington goal in the closing moments of the second period on an assist from Bria Donnelly.

"That goal gave us a jolt and we really came out in the third and took it to them," Tiger coach Jon Holmes said.


Maddie Bowe makes a save from close range (photo by Jim Lindquist)
The third period was a polar opposite of the second with a trip to the penalty box the rule rather than the exception. The teams were whistled for eight infractions, six of them on the Spartans.

The Tigers spent a good part of the 17-minutes on the power play as witnessed by their lopsided 24-5 shots on goal advantage. Despite the chances, none found the mark as they couldn't slip the puck by Spartan goalkeeper McKenna Lorenz.
  
"The puck didn’t bounce our way around the net, but I sure was proud of how we rebounded," Holmes said. " If we would have played the second period half has well as the third we would have came out on top."

Wayzata outshot Farmington 38-31 in the contest with Tiger sophomore Maddie Bowe finishing with 35 saves.

"She is very athletic and made some saves in the second period that kept the game close," Holmes said.

Despite the loss, Holmes said he and his team will dwell on the positives of the game.

"We will get a good three practices in now before our next game," he said.

The Tigers return to action Saturday night when they travel to Owatonna for a non-conference game with the Huskies at Four Seasons Arena.