Big Comeback Gives Tigers First Conference Win

by Pat Rupp

The Tigers roared back from a three-goal deficit to defeat Shakopee 4-3 in overtime in a South Suburban Conference game played Tuesday night at the Shakopee Community Center.

The win was the first in conference play for Farmington which is now 2-3 for the season and 1-2 in the South Suburban.

The Sabers led 3-0 after two periods before the Tigers rallied with a three-goal barrage of their own in the third to force overtime.

Jenna Bethke’s first career goal provided the game-winner with 1:09 remaining in the overtime period.

“The first period could be blamed on a bit of a holiday hangover,” Farmington coach Jon Holmes said. “We hadn’t played in a week and change and it showed.

“The second period unfortunately though we got comfortable with a lack of effort and that was concerning…One good period got us through this game.”

Trailing 3-0 after two frames, the one-two scoring punch of Sam Moehle and Abby Gehrke pulled the teams even to set up the eight-minute, sudden-death extra period.

Gehrke scored the first goal on the power play with an assist from Madison Kadrlik. Moehle then took over, scoring back-to-back goals, the second coming with just 1:02 remaining in regulation. Gehrke assisted on both scores with Kadrlik getting an assist on the second.

“Sam (Moehle) continues to be a dominant force offensively,” Holmes said. She is calm and makes good decisions…Abby (Gehrke) just has a nose for the puck. She can sniff out the cycles and rebounds nicely. To watch how she has improved her puck skills is a nice reward for all of the hard work she has put in.”

Bethke, a senior defender made her first varsity goal a memorable one. Moehle and Kenna Kadrlik assisted on the game-winner.

“Jenna had just finished a rush into the zone and a rebound found the way her stick and she buried it. Not a bad way to earn her first puck!”

Farmington won the shots on goal battle 33-25, including a dominating 20-10 over the third period and overtime.

Addison Moudry turned away 22 of the 25 shots she faced to post her second win of the young season.

Next up on the docket is a Saturday matinee home game with Lakeville North (3-2; 1-2). The South Suburban Conference rivals face off at 3:00 at Schmitz-Maki Arena.