Efficient Tigers Down Hill-Murray

by Pat Rupp

One statistical category in which Farmington (13-8) has been consistent this season, win or lose, has been getting more scoring opportunities than the opposition.

Such was not the case Thursday night, however, when coach Jon Holmes sqaud skated to a comfortable 4-1 non-conference win over top ten rated Hill-Murray (14-7) at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

The Pioneers finished the contest with a 23-18 edge in shots on goal yet didn’t even get on the scoreboard until fewer than four minutes remained in regulation.

“Pretty solid game all in all,” Holmes said. “The nice part about it was that most of our scoring chances were pretty legitimate. Our lack of shots on net was due mostly to kids looking for corners and just missing the net. But then obviously we connected on a good share as well.”

Timing and momentum played an important part of the Tigers grabbing an early lead. The game was scoreless for all but one second of the first period when Ava Johnson (from Claire Enright) found the net to send the locals roaring into the break.

The visitors outshot the home team 10-7 but two of Farmington’s attempts found twine. Sadie Long scored shorthanded early in the second to forge a two-goal lead and a couple of minutes later Kenna Kadrlik (from Enright) made it 3-0.

The lead mushroomed to four goals early in the third period when Carly Lancaster struck gold on an assist from Brenna Fuhrman. For all practical purposes the upset was complete.

Goaltender Ryleigh Furlong continued her recent solid play in net with 22 saves and received help from a strong effort from a hustling defense.

The win was the first in four tries against rated non-conference competition for Farmington. Earlier in the year the Tigers lost to Eden Prairie, Maple Grove and Blake, all currently rated among the top ten Class 2A teams in the state.

“We have been putting a ton of focus of late on solid passing and spreading out the rink,” Holmes said. “Last night it was apparent as we started playing more consistent hockey. 

“Our goal this week was to start fine tuning for the playoffs. Making little tweaks here and there to tighten things up but not being worried about making any wholesale changes. We’ve done that nicely and continuing on that path for another week and some change will have us where we want to be come playoff time.”

Farmington closes out its busy three-game week with a Saturday South Suburban Conference date with Eagan at Schmitz-Maki. Next week the girls close the books on the regular season with two conference road games, Tuesday at Rosemount and Saturday at Burnsville.

SLAP SHOTS: Tuesday night’s win at Lakeville North marked a milestone; it was the 200th of Jon Holmes’ coaching career in Farmington. Holmes managed to corral the game puck for a souvenir but not for himself. He gave it to long-time assistant Jason Kohlbeck who has been with Holmes for every one of the victories…

A sign of the success of the Tiger girls’ puck program is the number of players who have gone on to play the game at the collegiate level. This winter no less than 11 ex-Tigers are on college rosters: Dani Wright, Hamline; Ellie Moser, Bemidji State, Jenna Gerold and Abby Bollig, Augsburg; Cassie Knutson, Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Bailey Kelley, Wisconsin-Superior; Kenna Cavanaugh, College of St. Benedict; Lexi Budensiek, St. Mary’s University; Emily Auge, Bethel University and Savanna Tucker and Emily Rubins, University of Minnesota Club Team.