Jack Erickson
1st varsity points (goal, assist) vs. Owatonna
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Andrew Peterson scored twice and eight different Tigers recorded points as Farmington upended Owatonna, 5-3, Thursday night in boys' hockey action.
The Huskies (2-3-1) jumped ahead early, scoring two goals in the first 8:07.
Peterson cut the deficit for the Tigers (2-1-1) in half at 9:35 from Grant Hauswirth. Marques Words tied the score, unassisted, 24 seconds later.
Farmington added the only goal of the second period as Jack Erickson scored his first varsity goal. Corey Rudrud was credited with the lone assist on Erickson’s tally at 8:39.
Peterson, with help from Erickson, pushed the Tigers lead to 4-2 at 11:59 of the final period. Owatonna’s Justin Brown added a power play marker at 13:31, but Kevin Olund, with assists from Blake Weinand and Sean Johnson, put the game away at 15:51.
Farmington has now faced four-straight 1AA opponents to start the season and the next two games are also against section opponents. Head coach Keith Revels believes these games play an important role in the seeding process.
“Head to head matchups…are not the only consideration but typically carry a lot of weight in the process,” Revels said. “Getting a four seed would mean we are hosting…rather than going on the road in the quarterfinals.”
The game with Owatonna Thursday night marked the third-straight game that a Tigers player has recorded their first varsity goal; Erickson Thursday, Words and Ryan Schoening Tuesday at Winona and Sean Johnson Dec. 1 against Rochester Century. Revels believes scoring balance, especially from his young players, is going to create matchup problems for opponents moving forward.
“There will be teams that key on stopping Peterson in the coming games and we need to have an answer for that,” Revels said. “If we can keep multiple players and lines in the scoring column on a regular basis it makes it more difficult for opposing teams defend us.”
Next up for the Tigers is a non-conference clash with Section 1AA rival Dodge County Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
