 |
| Gage Overby leads Missota Conference in save percentage (.918) |
Four different players netted goals and Overby turned away 30 shots as the Tigers won their second straight conference game, boosting their league record to 2-3-1.
"The bus ride home is always a bit faster after a win," Tiger coach Keith Revels said. "I do believe we have hit our stride a bit but we still have much work to do on our end.
"The only game we have not been in would be our first one back in November against Hastings... When we convert well offensively and play disciplined in the defensive zone we can give opponents trouble."
The Tigers roared to a quick start, outshooting the Hawks 8-3 in the opening period, with Tanner Grubb's seventh goal of the season (from Kevin Olund and John Siebenaler) giving them a 1-0 lead heading to the first intermission.
Jack Erickson's second period goal on an assist from Dallas Tucker stretched the lead to 2-0 after two frames and then Overby and some efficient offense took over in the third.
Chaska outshot its guests 13-3 over the final 17 minutes but could not get the puck by Overby.
Farmington, meanwhile, connected on two of its three scoring opportunities with Tucker (from Erickson and Justin Novak) and Brandon Lugowksi (from Corey Rudrud) each netting goals to pad the lead.
Revels had some words of praise for the play of Overby who took over the conference lead in save percentage (.918) with the shutout.
"Gage has stepped in and done a very nice job for us," he said. "As Chaska elevated its game late on its home ice, he was able to stay cool, calm and collected...
"He does a nice job controlling rebounds. They either get turned away to the corner out of harm's way or frozen for a face-off."
Revels also said the win was a testament to his team's depth as several regulars missed game time due to injury or illness.
"We got some quality minutes from a lot of players stepping up and filling roles which is what you need to be competitive in January and February," he said. "These things happen during the course of a game and a season and you need guys to be ready and willing to fill in at a moment's notice."
The Tigers will be looking to make it three straight Friday when they wrap up the opening round of conference play with a match-up with Shakopee at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
