Boys Hockey: Tigers take it to Apple Valley 4-1

Gage Overby 12 third period saves (photo by Jim Lindquist)

In its second match-up with a future South Suburban Conference foe this season, the Tigers roared to their fourth straight win with a solid 4-1 victory over Apple Valley Thursday night at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

Earlier in the season, Farmington (5-2) dropped a 2-0 decision to Eagan, another South Suburban Conference school.

"This was a good win for us," caoch Keith Revels said. "It was against a common opponent of the Lakeville schools and against a future South Suburban opponent. 

"We played lights out in the first and second period before we had an uncharacteristic third where we stopped moving our feet and had to play with guys in the box."

Farmington dominated play for the first 34 minutes, outshooting the Eagles by a lopsided count of 30-5 and leading 3-0 on goals by Chris Fitzgibbons (from Tanner Grubb and Grady Hauswirth), Grubb (from Fitzgibbons and Hauswirth) and Austin Martinsen (from Devin Bernu and Justin Novak).

Grady Hauswirth 2 assists (photo by J. Lindquist)

"I thought our defensive sets played well," Revels said, "limiting opportunities throughout the first two periods."

The Tigers recorded four penalties in the final period but even one of those turned into gold when Novak scored shorthanded from John Siebenaler in the game's final four minutes.

The Eagles outshot the Tigers 13-4 in the third frame but goalie Gage Overby came up big to preserve the win.

"Gage had a solid period when we needed him to," Revels said.

Apple Valley hurt itself with penalties, piling up nine for 43 minutes of box time. The Tigers picked up seven for 14 minutes.

The Tigers outshot Valley by a 34-18 count in the contest.

Tuesday the Tigers get to test another future South Suburban Conference opponent when they make the short trip to Rosemount to take on the Irish.