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Wildcats Tame Tigers in Opener

By Pat Rupp, 11/18/15, 9:45AM CST

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SSC Opening loss for Tigers has positives

Wildcats Tame Tigers in Opener

by Pat Rupp

Eagan broke a 2-2 tie with three unanswered scores in the final five minutes of the third period to post a 5-2 South Suburban Conference win over Farmington Tuesday night in Eagan.

The Wildcats (3-0-1) were playing their fourth game of the season while coach Jon Holmes’ youth-dominated squad was making its season debut.

“A coach is never content with losing, but there are a lot of positive things to take from our first game,” Holmes said. “We showed some grit and we played with character that I am proud and excited to see from a youthful team at such an early stage of the season.”

“Special teams play was the difference and perhaps that can be chalked up to playing our first game versus their fourth… But we have things to work on and I will be looking forward for redemption on December 22 when we play them back at our place.”

Eagan scored solo goals in each of the first two periods before the visitors rallied early in the final frame to tie the count on power play scores by Marissa Agerter (from Taylor Anderson and Savannah Tucker) and Ellie Moser (from Emily Rubins and Megan Bernu).

“That comeback was very promising,” Holmes said. “Our captains (Dani Wright and Maddi Oines) played extremely well and led the younger players through a tough game.”

Eagan took the lead for good with a power play score of its own at the 11:59 mark of the third and then put it away with two more goals in a 44-second span in the game’s final 2:46.

The Wildcats won the shots-on-goal battle 34-23 although the surging Tigers held a 9-8 edge over the final 17 minutes.

Tiger goaltender Emily Auge had a busy night in the nets in the losing effort, finishing with 29 saves.

“Emily looked very solid,” Holmes said. “She made some big saves early after a nervous start from the players in front of her.”

The Tigers will have two days to work on their game before hitting the ice again Friday night when they take on South Suburban rival Prior Lake at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

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