Boys Hockey: Momentum and then some

Wyatt Jensen scored his first career goal (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Farmington barreled into the post-season with about as much momentum as one team could have.

With Saturday afternoon's 5-2 Missota Conference road win over Chaska in the regular season finale, the Tigers stretched their winning streak to 16 games. They haven't lost since December 18 at Rosemount, a stretch of 59 days.

Saturday's victory also upped Farmington's season record to a robust 21-3-1 and it final conference championship numbers to 13-0-1.

"It's been a good run," coach Keith Revels understated. "The boys are playing well."

Like Tuesday's conference clincher against Shakopee, the win at Chaska did not come early or easily.

Despite out-shooting the host Hawks 40-12 over the first two periods the visitors led only 2-1 after two periods on goals by Grady Hauswirth and Wyatt Jensen. Jensen's score was the first of his varsity career.

"Our offense is like Novocaine," Revels quipped. "It takes some time but works in the end."

In this case it worked to the tune of three third period goals, one apiece by Landon Neilsen, Jack Erickson and Justin Novak after the Hawks had forged a 2-2 tie.

Once again the conference champs did a remarkable job of spreading around the points. In addition to the five different goal scorers, seven more Tigers registered an assist: Novak, Jake Trippel, Devin Bernu, Erik Holmstrom, Tyler Jette, Tanner Grubb and John Siebenaler.

Justin Novak (53 points) won conference scoring title (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Novak's two-point night gave him the Missota Conference individual scoring title. The junior forward finished with 53 points on 15 goals and 38 assists.

Gage Overby worked the Tiger nets and picked up his13th win of the season with a 21-save performance.

The post-season comes on quickly with the quarterfinals slated to begin next Thursday night at the home of the higher seeded team. The Tigers figure to be seeded second or third, slots that would guarantee a home game in the opening round. The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday (Feb. 22) in Rochester.