 |
| Maddie Bowe 30 saves (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
Radke's game-winner ended a see-saw battle that saw the teams trade four goals through two periods and then skate through a pressure-packed scoreless third period and extra session.
"It was one of the best hockey games I have been to in a few years," Tiger coach Jon Holmes said. "The rink was packed and the crowd was rowdy."
The Raiders got on the board first midway through the opening period before Maddi Oines tied the count three minutes later with a power play score on an assist from Michaela Tonsager.
Hastings re-took the lead with under two minutes to play in the first only to have Tiger eighth-grader Ellie Moser knot the score on an assist from Brooke Raske 52 seconds into the second period.
From there the teams took turns creating scoring opportunities only to be turned away by a couple of efficient goaltenders.
Farmington had an apparent goal nullified in the second period when an official lost sight of the puck and blew the whistle just before the puck crossed the goal line.
"We just reminded each other that we cannot control that and it's part of the game," Holmes said. "We didn't hear another word or complaint about it. An incident like that would more often than not crack a team and I'm just so proud that we just re-grouped and went back to business."
 |
| Maddi Oines scored 1st Tiger goal (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
Maddie Bowe went the distance in the nets for the Tigers and finished the night with 30 saves.
"The team we have this year is extremely positive and willing to put in the needed work to have success," Holmes said. "They also really get that we are at our best when we play like a team. We are a blue collar bunch that needs everyone contributing and they certainly did that.
"Outside of not winning the game, of course, this was the best season opener we could have hoped for."
The Tigers will try to get into the win column Tuesday when they host Section 1AA rival Rochester John Marshall in a non-conference game at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
