Tigers can’t close the deal

by Pat Rupp

For the second time in as many games the Tiger offense was missing in action, at least in the scoring department, in a 3-1 South Suburban Conference loss to Eagan Friday night at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

Eagan finished with just a 32-28 advantage in shots on goal, but Tiger coach Jon Holmes said his team has to find a way to finish off its scoring chances.

“Although I thought we played a notch better than we did against South (also a 3-1 defeat), we still couldn't find the twine,” he said. “Bottom line is that we need more production in terms of goals and points from our top lines. Through two games we have still yet to see them get on the board in full strength situations.”

Taylor Anderson netted all three goals for the visitors, including a power play score at 9:45 of the opening period to give her team a one-goal lead at the first break.

The Tigers responded in the second period with a power play goal of their own. Cassie Knutson found the back of the net on assists from Marissa Agerter and Emily Rubins.

Much of the second period, however, the home team spent playing shorthanded. The Tigers piled up four penalties and spent eight of the 17 minutes in the penalty box.

“We fought off four minutes of 3-5 opportunities in the second period and I thought if
we could get through the final 49 seconds of 4 penalties in a row we would
have a definite edge in momentum in the third period.”

Farmington made it through the second period unscathed but Anderson spoiled the party 18 seconds into the third, scoring with just 20 seconds left on the penalty kill.

 “The story for us is to stay out of the box,” Holmes said. “In two games special teams play
has not gone to our advantage.”

The Tigers outshot the Wildcats 11-7 in the final period but couldn’t get the puck past Eagan netminder Maddie Nickell who finished with 27 saves.

The winners officially put the game on ice with an empty net score by Anderson with under a minute to play.

Despite the 0-2 start, Holmes is still optimistic about his team’s chances the remainder of the 2016-17 season.

“Our defense and goalie (Abby Bollig-29 saves) played well clearing bodies out front,” he said. “Hopefully sooner than later we will be able to get the much-needed goal support from our forwards who have proven in the past they have more than enough capability to make that happen.
 

“This week will be a good week to get in some needed practice time to get the girls more confident in running systems and strategies we are trying to implement.”

Farmington jumps back into South Suburban Conference play Tuesday night with a home contest against Prior Lake. They resume post-Thanksgiving play Saturday with a non-league home game with Hopkins/St. Louis Park.