(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Alexander Morsching scored in overtime as Northfield clipped Farmington, 3-2, Friday night in Farmington.
The Tigers (6-12-2, 3-6-1) have now lost back-to-back one goal contests. For the season, the team has suffered a one-goal defeat six times.
“Boys played hard but came up on short end again,” head coach Keith Revels said. “We’re playing well enough to win games but we’re not able to close the deal.”
“We are trying to focus on getting puck to the net. We passed on some opportunities to do so especially early on. Vast improvement defensively from a year ago but have not found answer for some of the scoring that was lost to graduation.”
After a scoreless first, Colton Woodruff opened the scoring for the Raiders with a power play tally in the middle of the second period. Northfield took that lead to the third period.
Dan Block
Second goal of the season
Farmington capitalized on a five-minute major penalty against Northfield as Dan Block netted a goal to tie the score. Grant Hauswirth and Jordan Lugowski both earned assists on Block’s power play marker.
Blake Weinand gave the Tigers a lead at 8:34 with help from Kevin Olund. Farmington would hold that lead for about three minutes before Joshua Sonnee tied the score. Morsching scored his overtime winner early in the extra session to give Northfield the victory.
The Tigers continue to struggle in the goal department. Revels believe his squad needs to score dirty goals to fix those struggles.
“We have to focus on getting puck to the net with players in position to screen, tip and rebound and score some blue collar goals, ugly or otherwise. Both goals [Friday] came off scrums in front with players crashing the goalmouth.”
Victor Simones continues to have a solid season between the pipes. The senior goaltender made 21 stops Friday night and sports a save percentage that is creeping towards the 91 percent mark.
“Victor is having an MVP season for us,” Revels said. “The game winner last night slipped by him from a tough angle and he was disappointed because it was one he thought he should have handled.”
“That being said he has proven to be the guy for us and is having the best goaltending season for this program in a longtime and one that can keep us in a game night in and night out.”
Farmington returns to action Monday as they travel to Chaska. Puck drops at 7:15 p.m.
