Boys Hockey: Stars rally to defeat Tigers 5-3

Justin Novak's third period power play goal gave the Tigers 3-2 lead (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Farmington coach Keith Revels may be only half kidding when he wonders whether his team would be better off playing two halves instead of three periods.

For the fourth straight game the Tigers saw a third period slip away in a 5-3 loss to perennial Missota Conference power Holy Angels Thursday night at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

"Another heart-breaker," Revels said, "but I feel like we made some positive steps in our game. We have to move forward and build on a pretty solid effort."

With the loss the Tigers fell to 4-6-1 overall and 0-2-1 in conference play. The Stars are 3-4-1; 1-0 in league games.

Holy Angels doubled up the home team in shots on goal (32-15) over the first two periods but the Tigers headed into the final frame with a 2-1 lead thanks to goals by Justin Hyytinen and Kevin Olund and some quality net play by goalie Gage Overby.

Grant Hauswirth assisted on both of the Farmington goals.

The Stars tied things up with a power play score early in the third period but a minute later Justin Novak scored on the power play to give Farmington back the lead at 3-2.

The Tigers outshot the visitors 15-14 over the final 17 minutes but the Stars went on to score three times, including an open-netter as time expired.

Overby finished his hectic night with a season-high 41 saves.

"It was encouraging to see us respond," Revels said. "We never gave up and we hope to continue playing that way starting Saturday."

Farmington travels to Simley for a non-conference game Saturday afternoon at Veterans Arena in Inver Grove Heights.