South Rallies for 5-3 Win Over Tigers

By Pat Rupp

Lakeville South used a big second period to rally for a 5-3 South Suburban Conference win over Farmington Tuesday night at Hasse Arena in Lakeville.

The loss dropped the Tiger’s season record to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in South Suburban Conference play. The Cougars stand at 2-1 and a perfect 2-0 in conference action.

“Overall, it was a pretty good hockey game,” Farmington coach Jon Holmes said.  “We got caught in a transition race early but  we settled in some as the game went on.

“We buttoned things up defensively in the third and offensively we had some Grade A chances that we certainly will learn to cash in on more as the season goes on.”

South put early pressure on its guests, outshooting them 14-7 in the opening period, but the Tigers made the most of their opportunities.

After falling behind by a goal, back-to-back scores by Kennedy Meier (from Abby Gehrke) and Gehrke (from Madison Kadrlik and Kenna Kadrlik), gave the visitors a short-lived 2-1 lead. 

South’s Claire Enright, a former Farmington skater, tied the count midway through the first and lit a spark that would carry through the decisive second period.

The Cougars peppered Tiger goalie Addison Moudry with 20 shots in the second frame, connecting on three of them to take a two-goal lead into the final 17 minutes of play.

Gehrke provided the lone Farmington goal of the second, scoring on an assist from Kenna Kadrlik.

The Tigers got the better of the scoring chances in the scoreless final stanza (14-9), but could not get the puck by South netminder Payton Lang.

Gehrke finished the night with two goals and an assist to run her team-leading point total to 13 through four games.

The Cougars compiled a hearty 43-30 advantage in shots on goal with Moudry recording 25 saves for the Tigers.

“With this group we are keeping focused on the process whether we are having success on the scoreboard or not,” Holmes said. “Pure and simple, we have to get better in our own zone. As we learn the nuances of defensive play and build on the good habits we are teaching that can be a strength going forward.”

Farmington will hit the road Tuesday night in search of its first win of the conference season when it travels to Shakopee to take on the Sabers who have started the 2021-22 season 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the South Suburban.