Junior defenseman Peter Tabor, an Edina transfer, helped his new teammates at Holy Family Catholic hoist the program’s first-ever Channel 12 Turkey Trot title by tallying three points in the Fire’s 5-1 win over Maple Grove Saturday night at Plymouth Ice Center.

Holy Family Catholic coach Noel Rahn said Tabor was good in his debut against his former teammates on Friday, when the Fire beat the Hornets 2-1, but Saturday was much better because he was more calm.

“Tonight (Tabor) was awesome. It was good to get that first game out of the way, especially playing against his old mates,” Rahn said.

Tabor’s cool was needed in a game that was fueled by emotion once the Fire’s Matt Anderson suffered an injured ankle after receiving a hip check from Maple Grove's Jayden Walsh in the first period which was juxtaposed with a late brawl in the third period.

The Fire, who are ranked ninth in the Class 2A Let’s Play Hockey rankings, responded with a three-goal inferno highlighted by a smooth power play goal where Tabor caught a pass across the point from James Marooney and ripped a shot that was tipped in by Ethan Melser.

“Our forwards coach has been telling us about that play all week long in practice and we finally got it to work in the game,” Tabor said.

Tabor notched a power play goal of his own in the final period, though it didn’t have the same intensity the other had.

His goal proved more comical as his shot from the top of the power play was tipped and fluttered over the head of the No. 19-2A Crimson’s Nick Lapoint.

“I’d like to say I meant it to happen,” Tabor said. “But it got tipped, went up and I got lucky enough. I’ll take it.”

Holy Family Catholic (2-0) had played in the third-place game with Maple Grove (1-1) three years straight prior to Saturday, but both teams won their matchups against perennial Lake Conference frontrunners Wayzata and Edina on Friday, showcasing new talent in the championship round.

“There’s obviously a lot of parity. There’s a lot of good teams in the state and anybody can beat anybody,” Rahn said.

Tabor believes after seeing his forward teammates come alive that the Fire are as complete as anyone with a strong defensive core, goaltending and offensive firepower.

“Everyone has Eden Prairie looking really good (in Class 2A, Section 2), but they’re all sleeping on Holy Family," Tabor said.

"“There’s a lot more to come from this team," Tabor said.

Peter Tabor’s three-point performance helped Holy Family Catholic clinch its first-ever Channel 12 Turkey Trot championship after a 5-1 victory over Maple Grove Saturday night at Plymouth Ice Center.

Ranked ninth in the Class 2A Let’s Play Hockey poll, the Fire (2-0) had a three-goal scoring outburst in the second period to distance themselves from the Crimson.

Tyler Borsch scored No. 19-2A Maple Grove’s only goal in the third period.

Holy Family Catholic’s Jared Moe made 13 saves, while Nick Lapoint stopped 28 of 33 shots for the Crimson (1-1).

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