Big Second Period Lifts Tigers to Eighth Straight Win

by Pat Rupp

Farmington shook off another lackluster opening period to post a 3-2 South Suburban Conference victory over Shakopee Thursday night at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

The win was the eighth straight for the Tigers who have not lost a game since opening night when they dropped a 3-2 verdict to Lakeville North.

“Shakopee had been playing tough against some pretty good opponents,” Tiger coach Jon Holmes said. “But it was the most-mistake laden and out-of-position game we have played all year. We just were not winning races to pucks, and that is something we normally do very well.”

The visiting Sabers got the better of play over the first 17 minutes, outshooting the home team 13-7 and netting the only score of the period on an even-strength goal by Holly Eckers.

“We did not show up to play and were lucky to get out of the period down just a goal,” Holmes said.

An entirely different Farmington hit the ice for the second period. The Tigers peppered Shakopee goalie Camryn Noess with 19 shots with three finding their mark.

Claire Enright (from Ellie Moser) ignited the rally with a power play goal just seven seconds into the period. Later in the second Emily Rubins (from Carly Simon) and Marissa Agerter (from Moser and Cassie Knutson) scored lightning-quick, back-to-back goals in a span of just 35 seconds for a two-goal lead with a period to play.

Enright’s and Agerter’s goals were the sixth of the season for both. Rubins score was her second. Moser’s pair of assists upped her team-high point total to 18.

“We definitely turned it around on the offensive side and began taking control of the puck and getting it to the net,” Holmes said. “And it paid off on the scoreboard.” 

The Sabers wouldn’t go away, however. Jackie Falk scored on the power play at the 2:07 mark and the visitors put the pressure on the Tiger defense and goalie Abby Bollig the rest of the way. Shakopee outshot Farmington by an 11-8 count over the final period.

Bollig, who was returning to the nets after a bout with the flu, upped her season record to 3-1 with a 29-save effort. Bollig owns 1.76 goals against average and a .918 save percentage in her four starts.

Farmington, now 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the South Suburban, finished the night with a slim 34-31 edge in the shots-on-goal department.

“We just expect more from ourselves,” Holmes said. “But getting the win and knowing we played leaving a lot out there is definitely a learning moment about how we need to demand more from ourselves in all situations.”

The win set up a South Suburban showdown with Eagan Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats are 10-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 in conference play. Face-off is scheduled for 3:00 at the Eagan Civic Center.

“We will have to make a few changes tomorrow in practice,” Holmes said, “because we will most likely need a three period-effort against Eagan.”