First career hat trick
Dan Handberg (below)
3rd period goal gave Tigers the lead
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
Farmington scored five unanswered goals in a wild and woolly third period for a 6-1 win over Shakopee Friday night, Dec. 17, at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
The win was the third in four starts for the Tigers who raised their season record to 4-3; 1-0 in the Missota Conference.
"We had a great outing," coach Keith Revels said. "We played 51 minutes with high energy, moved the puck well and played solid defensively. Overall we made good decisions and stayed focused on the task at hand."
The game was a lot closer than the final score indicated with neither team finding the net in the opening period.
Andrew Peterson scored the first of his three goals to break the scoring ice 10 seconds in the second but the Sabers answered two minutes later to tie the score heading into the final period.
Dan Handberg opened the scoring floodgates with a power play goal four minutes into the third period and before the final horn sounded Peterson and Zach Payne each scored twice to account for the final margin of victory.
Two of the final four scores came via the power play; one was short-handed and the other was an empty-netter.
"Shakopee has a nice club," Revels said. "I think the difference was that we were able to play two and three lines all night. All of our lines seem to be gelling. We're moving the puck well and attacking the net for second chances."
Sophomore goaltender Victor Simones continued to shine, stopping 25 of 26 shots in recording his third victory in four starts.
"Victor has made the most of his opportunities," Revels said. "He is controlling rebounds and sending them to the corner and covering those left in front. The one goal he allowed slipped down his arm and dribbled into the net."
Peterson's hat trick was the first of his career and seemed to indicate his recent move from defense was a positive one. Linemate Tyler Grubb ran his two-game point total to nine with four assists.
The Tigers have two more games on the docket before the Christmas break. Tuesday, Dec. 21, they entertain section Rival Rochester Mayo, and two days later they travel to Veterans Arena in Inver Grove Heights for a date with Simley.
