For a better part of Saturday night’s hockey contest between Clarkston and Farmington, the Wolves were in control.
They outshot Farmington 38 to 25, and had numerous opportunities on net in all three periods.
But two goals given up 17 seconds apart in the second period, coupled with an exceptional performance by Farmington goalie Tim Rogers, doomed the Wolves in a 4-1 loss.
The Wolves started off the first period slow, yielding four shots on goal in the first six minutes. A Clarkston turnover in front of their own goal just over three minutes into the game gave Farmington their first opportunity, but the shot missed the net. The Wolves then turned things around, outshooting Farmington 10-0 in the final ten minutes of the period, including two on a power play. They couldn’t crack Rogers, however, and the period ended 0-0.
The second period saw the tide turn in Farmington’s favor as Nick Elliot scored for the Falcons 4:17 into the period. The next ten minutes featured back and forth action on both ends of the ice, as both Rogers and Clarkston goalie Alec Gildner both made big saves on inside shots. With 6:05 remaining in the period, Farmington scored again as Mitch Hall beat Gildner off a feed from Bill Gadsby. Farmington then proceeded to win the faceoff and immediately score again, as a shot from Tim Pattison snuck through, giving the Falcons a 3-0 lead with 5:48 remaining in the period.
Clarkston got a goal back before the end of the period, however, as Brad Pizzey scored off a centering attempt by Connor Hughes with 3:34 left. But the damage was done, as Farmington led 3-1 at the second intermission.
‘Our defensive zone fell apart a couple times in the second period,? said Clarkston coach Bryan Krygier. ‘We let in a couple of bad goals, and that was the difference.?
Clarkston outshot Farmington 15 to 5 in the third period, but failed to capitalize on any of their opportunities. The Wolves got four shots off a power play with 8:19 to go, including two chances in front, but they couldn’t beat Rogers, who finished with 37 saves in the game.
?(Farmington) had a good goalie,? said Krygier. ‘We had some opportunities, but he made some good saves.?
Farmington added an empty net goal in the closing seconds to ice the victory.
‘Overall I thought we played okay,? Krygier said, ‘but we need more discipline in the defensive zone, and we can’t have the breakdowns we had tonight.?
The Wolves fell to 3-2 with the loss, and are back in action on Thursday when they take on Rochester United. The game is at 8 p.m. at the Detroit Skate Club.