Tiger coach Keith Revels wasn't sure when, or if, Farmington had ever defeated state power and perpetual Missota Conference champion Holy Angels.
"Todd Karich has been around the program for 12 years and he can't remember it happening," Revels said. "Shawn Anderson has been around even longer than that and he can't remember beating them either."
The argument was moot, however, after the Tigers handed the Stars their first conference loss this season, a 3-2 thriller in overtime Thursday night at Richfield Arena.
Dallas Tucker provided the game-winner 2:43 into the extra session on assists from Jack Erickson and Justin Novak.
"We played with a confidence that I have not seen in awhile," Revels said. "We were poised with the puck and making great decisions all over the rink.
"With the exception of the first goal we gave up, we were rock solid. Holy Angels averages about five and a half goals per game."
The visitors stunned the league leaders with a pair of goals in the first 5:11 of the game. Kevin Olund (from Alex Aubrecht) scored just 91 seconds after the opening face-off and Grady Hauswirth (from John Siebenaler) made it 2-0 after the first period.
The Stars battled back with an unanswered goal in each of the next two periods to force the extra eight-minute session.
Tucker sent the Farmington crowd home happy, scoring in transition on a rush with linemates Erickson and Novak.
 |
| A picture worth a thousand words |
The win wouldn't have been possible without some quality net work from Austin Krause who also earned some words of praise from his coach.
"Austin was solid in net," Revels said. "It was easily the best of his seven starts this season."
Krause turned away 30 of 32 shots to boost his season record to 5-2-1.
The loss dropped the Stars to 8-1-1 and into a first place tie with New Prague in the conference standings. Farmington, 10-9-1 overall, improved to 4-5-1 in league play.
Revels said he would have to put the upset at the top of the list of his victories since taking over the Tiger program.
"Especially with our third period woes and heartbreaking finishes this season," he said. "This one helps ease the sting a bit".
Three of the Tigers' final five regular season games will be played next week: Tuesday at home vs. Northfield; Thursday at Chanhassen and Saturday at Bloomington Kennedy.
" I'm hoping this one jump starts us for the final push into the post-season," Revels said.
