Boys hockey: Offense struggles during skid

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Goaltender Victor Simones plays in goal during a recent game.

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Goals have become hard to come by for the Farmington boys hockey team since it scored four in a shutout win over Chaska on Jan. 10.

The Tigers have scored just three goals since then and have lost four games in a row.

Missota Conference-leading Chanhassen left Schmitz-Maki Arena with a 5-0 blanking last Tuesday, then Red Wing used a barrage of three late goals to rally for a 3-1 victory over the Tigers Friday night at Prairie Island Arena.

Farmington (5-9-2) controlled play through the first two scoreless periods against the Wingers, posting a 23-13 advantage in shots on goal. The visitors finally got on the board when Zach Colaw scored on an assist from Andrew Peterson 2:46 into the third, but the Wingers scored twice in the next five minutes to take the lead and added an empty-net goal in the final seconds.

“We took it to them for about 2 1/2 periods. We are struggling to put goals on the board,” Farmington coach Keith Revels said. “Can’t complain about our effort. We worked hard and played well. If we can consistently make that kind of effort on the ice we are going to find some goals and some wins the rest of the way.”

Farmington finished with a 31-30 shot advantage. Senior goaltender Victor Simones stopped 27 shots.

Five Chanhassen shots got past Simones last Tuesday and the Tigers were shut out for the second time this season.

The Storm had a 34-17 advantage in shots on goal and stopped all five Farmington power play opportunities.

“They are the top of the heap in the Missota and it showed,” Revels said. “At times we matched them but overall they forced us into some mistakes and then capitalized on them rather quickly.”

The Tigers are back home tomorrow night when they host Shakopee. They beat the Sabers 5-1 on Dec. 30.

Tags: boys hockey, sports, farmington, tigers, prep