Tigers open Schmitz Classic with 7-0 shutout win

by Pat Rupp

Six different players found the net and eight scored at least a point as the ever-improving Tigers netted a season-high seven goals in a shutout win over Rochester Century Tuesday night in the opening round of the Louis Schmitz Holiday Classic at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

The win vaulted Farmington (7-5) into Wednesday’s championship semifinals against old Missota Conference rival Red Wing. Faceoff is scheduled for 6:00 at Schmitz-Maki.

When asked how his team cruised to the easy victory, Farmington coach Jon Holmes was a man of few words.

“Seven goals and some good play from all the lines, defense and goalie,” he said.

Bailey Kelley scored the first of her two goals just 41 seconds after the opening faceoff to give the host team the lead and the momentum.

 Ellie Moser and Emily Rubins also scored for the winners in the first period which saw the Tigers outshoot their guests by a 14-5 count. Rubins also assisted on Moser’s score.

Kelley and Cassie Knutson (from Jayden Seifert and Jenna Gerold) made it 5-0 after two periods before Carly Lancaster (from Rubins) and Marissa Agerter (from Kelley and Gerold) got into the act in the final frame.

Kelley and Rubins each put together three-point nights for the Tigers and Gerold registered a pair. Farmington outshot Century by a lopsided 47-11.

Emily Auge, an all-South Suburban Conference goaltender a year ago, made her 2016-17 debut in the contest and recorded the shutout. Auge, coming back from a bout with mononucleosis, finished with 11 saves.

“Although Emily was not faced with a barrage of shots,” Holmes said, “she did look solid and managed to keep the game out of reach from start to finish.”

Holmes said a bright spot was the production of the Kelley, Gerold, Agerter line that racked up six points.

“They really played well and overall, we showed more chemistry on all of our lines,” he said.

While getting one all-conference performer back on the ice, Holmes lost another when leading scorer Moser left after the first period with a hand contusion.

“Fortunately, she did not have a break or fracture but will have to rest it for a week or two before getting back into the lineup after the new year,” Holmes said.

Holmes said Red Wing will present a challenge to his team that has won six of its last seven games.

“They have Taylor Heise who is arguably one of the best, if not the best, players in the country in her age category,” he said.