Aaron Dahl 33 saves
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
Rochester Century rallied from a three-goal deficit to defeat the Tigers 5-4 in a battle of Section 1AA rivals Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Rochester Recreation Center.
The Farmington (9-10) loss presents double trouble because it could impact seeding for the section post-season tournament as the teams entered the night with almost identical records. (Century is 9-8).
"It was pretty frustrating," Tiger coach Keith Revels said. "We set goals of having three or fewer penalties and 30 shots on net and we were able to accomplish both.
"Seeding-wise it was a big game because a win would have put us in a good position for a home game in the section. Now it looks like we'll be fifth through seventh depending on how we finish and how the rest of the Big Nine season goes."
The visitors looked to be hitting on all cylinders in the first period with three different players--Matt Provost, Zak Payne and Tyler Grubb--scoring goals for an all too easy and too early 3-0 lead.
The Panthers did manage to score late in the opening frame but Farmington came right back on Grant Hauswirth's score in the period's final minute to take a 4-1 lead to the first break.
Century switched goaltenders for the second period and the change paid immediate dividends as the Panthers rattled off thee unanswered goals to tie the game with a period to play.
The Panthers won the contest at 6:20 of the thrid period on a seeing-eye shot from the blue line that snaked its way through traffic and past Tiger goalie Aaron Dahl.
Century outshot the locals 38-34 but Revels said his team had more than its share of opportunities.
"We maintained the good pressure in the second period but their back-up goalie played well," Revels said. "Their two goals late in the second really hurt."
Farmington returns to the ice Tuesday, Feb. 1, when it entertains league-leading Holy Angels. Thursday the Tigers head to Northfield for another Missota Conference contest.
