(photos by Jim Lindquist)
The Tigers put a little daylight between themselves and the rest of the Missota Conference pack with an exciting 4-3 win over Chaska/Chanhassen Tuesday night, Jan. 11, at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
Four different players scored goals for Farmington (12-5; 7-0) who ran its winning streak to six games and its Missota Conference lead to two games over the second place Stormhawks.
"They are a good hockey team," Tiger coach Jon Holmes said of Chaska/Chanhassen. "They took Blake to overtime last week and they have beaten Eden Prairie. This was a big win for us."
The victory didn't come easily, however. The visitors got on the board first midway through the first period and the home team was staring at more trouble two minutes later with leading scorer Krystal Baumann sitting in the penalty box.
Fortunately, Hannah Alexander saved the day with a steal and shorthanded goal that tied to count at 1-1.
"Hannah made a great play," Holmes said, "and the amazing thing about it is that she was sick before the game. She really dug deep tonight."
Baumann was back in the penalty box twice more in the second period and both times the Stormhawks took advantage with power play goals.
"Part of that comes from the speed at which she (Baumann) plays the game," Holmes said of Baumann's trips to the sidelines, "but they were legitimate calls. We need her on the ice, not in the box."
Farmington countered the opposition's power play goals in the second period with two of their own. One came when Haleigh Zwart took the puck at center ice, split two defenders and slapped the puck into the net from the slot and the other from Baumann who one-timed a shot into the top right shelf on a perfect feed from Betsy Anderson.
"Betsy had another good night," Holmes said. "She has become a steady quarterback for us at the blue line."
Haliegh Zwart (left) scored second period goal
Chloe Batta netted game winner in third period
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
Seventh-grader Chloe Batta netted the game-winner at 7:51 of the final period, scoring from out front on a pin-point pass from Rachel Peroutky.
Goalie Jessica Erchul finished with 24 saves, including two big ones down the stretch after Chaska/Chanhassen pulled its goalie.
The Tigers have seven games remaining on their schedule, including five against conference team the Tigers outscored by a combined score of 28-10 during the opening round of league play.
"Saying we should beat somebody doesn't mean anything." Holmes said. "Great teams have to play their game no matter who they are playing. We have to walk the talk."
Farmington gets back to work Thursday with a road game at New Prague. Next Tuesday, Jan. 18, the Tigers host Blake, the second-rated Class A team in the state.
