Jaguars skate into 2nd round

By JEREMY TEPPER

MVI Sports

During its current 17-game winning steak, the Thomas Jefferson hockey team has locked in its play in all three phases. The offense has been explosive, the defense has been oftentimes stifling and the goaltending has been steady.

But ask senior Hunter Fairman and he’ll tell you the secret to the Jaguars winning ways is much simpler than that.

“We’re just having fun and you can ride that. The energy, the locker room and having fun can take you a long way,” Fairman said. “Believing in your teammates, it does magical things and that’s what we’re doing. We have fun every time we go out.”

Fairman and the Jaguars were certainly having fun Monday.

Fairman scored four goals as Thomas Jefferson defeated Armstrong, 7-2, in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A playoffs. The Jaguars will play Baldwin April 13.

It was an effort that coach Bill Crousey expected from his senior-laden team.

“This whole group has been in the playoffs the four years they’ve been here, so this isn’t nothing new to us,” Crousey said. “They should know what to expect and be ready to go.”

Both Crousey and Fairman lauded Armstrong’s energy in the early stages of the game. 

Fairman scored on a long-range power-play goal 2:38 into the game, but Armstrong answered 2:23 later, as Lance Quinnell scored off of a rebound.

Fairman scored another goal with 10:21 left in the opening period.

Fairman gave credit to his linemates, Eddie Pazo and Ryan Kelly, for doing the dirty work to free him up for goals. Crousey said Fairman has played at a high level all season.

“He’s developed a scoring touch and has really broken through this year,” Crousey said. “It seems like with time and space — if you give it to him — he can just finish. He’s feeling it. He’s having a great year.”

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