Tyler Grubb celebrates a hat trick (below left)
(photos courtesy of Jim Lindquist)
Tyler Grubb's hat trick paced the Tigers to a 6-1 win over Section 1AA rival Winona, Tuesday night, Dec. 6, at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
The victory was the second straight for Farmington who evened its season record at 2-2.
"We played better defensively except for late in the third period than we did against Cedarburg last Thursday," coach Keith Revels said. "We needed to continue to move the puck and not not forget about playing defense when we had the lead. We did a much better job of that tonight."
Grubb scored two of his three goals and Blake Weinand added a third as the Tigers roared to a 3-0 lead after an opening period that saw Farmington hold its guests to just two shots on goal.
Grubb completed his hat trick with a shorthanded score and Quinn Malcolm scored his first of the season in the second period to give the locals a 5-0 cushion at the second intermission.
"Tyler had a great all-around game," Revels said. "He not only scored but he moved the puck around and had a strong game defensively."
As for the shorthanded goal, Revels said playing a man short could have been more costly.
"We had seven penalties and that is too much time in the penalty box," he said.
But were were 7-7 on the penalty kill and got a shorthanded goal to boot. Still, we have to keep away from becoming flat-footed and holding and grabbing."
Matt Provost scored the lone Farmington goal of the third period before Winona spoiled goalie Victor Simones shutout bid with a goal in the game's closing minutes.
Revels praised the play of the Malcolm-Weinand-Provost line that produced three goals and five assists and the contributions of defender John Donnelly who scored his first varsity point.
Simones stopped 16 of 17 shots (.941 save percentage) to run his season record to a perfect 2-0.
The Tigers continue their schedule of non-conference games against Section 1AA competition Thursday night, Dec. 9, with a home contest against Owatonna.
"That will be a key seeding game for us," Revels said.
Face-off is set for 7:15 at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
