4 goals, 2 assists vs. Simley
Farmington scored four unanswered goals in the first eight minutes and cruised to a 10-2 win over Simley Thursday night, Dec. 23, at Vet's Arena in Inver Grove Heights.
The early Christmas present for the streaking Tigers was their sixth win in the last seven outings and unlike the last two victories it did not take a third period rally to seal the deal.
"Simley has been taking its lumps over the last couple of years," Tiger coach Keith Revels said, " but they are just the type of team that has given us troubles in the past. It was clear early on that wasn't going be the case."
The visitors led 5-1 after the first period and from there on Revels used four lines. The winners added two more scores in the second period and tacked on three more for good measure in the third.
Since starting the season with back-to-back losses to Hastings and Rochester John Marshall, the Tiger offense has averaged an eye-catching 6.3 goals a game.
The blowout featured another outstanding performance by senior captain Tyler Grubb who scored four goals and added a pair of assists to run his season numbers to 13 goals and 11 assists.
"Tyler is big, fast, nifty with the puck and has a big shot," Revels said. "He has brought his game to a new level this year.
"As a sophomore he led the team in penalty minutes, but this year he has a measly two minutes in nine games. He's playing through the attention he gets as a proven scorer. He's being the captain that we need him to be."
Grubb wasn't the only one to fill up the stat sheet. Andrew Peterson and Quinn Malcolm each scored a pair of goals and Dan Handberg registered four assists. Trevor Hockert, coming back from a high ankle sprain, and Zak Payne also scored for the Tigers.
Back-up goalie Aaron Dahl worked the nets and stopped 22 of 24 shots to earn his first win of the season.
"Aaron did what he needed to do for his team tonight," Revels said. "We need to get him minutes and keep him sharp."
The Tigers return to the ice Tuesday, Dec. 28, when they travel to Shakopee for a re-match with the Sabers. Farmington won 6-1 in the first of the two-game conference set played last week at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
