The Miners Red hockey team cruised by first round playoff opponent Farmington on Monday night, winning 14-1 at the Accord Ice Arena in West Valley City.  Park City began to open up their huge lead early on Monday. The Miners Red took a 2-0 lead before Farmington star Joshua Kelly scored the tea m’s only goal, unassisted. Park City led 6-1 after the first period and 9-1 after the second.  Miners Red player Hunter Jaques led the team with a hat trick in the win. Park City’s Jayden Jacobs, Brocton Umstead and Wyatt Nellis each had two goals.  With the win, the Miners Red set up a second round playoff matchup with five seed Skyline. Skyline brings the third and eighth highest points-scoring players into the matchup, which will be on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex.  “I was surprised at how well we started off the game,” said Miners Red Head Coach Mike Adamek. “Given they were just coming back off of break, the team started out really well.” Adamek believed he saw a level of hockey that most teams in the state and nation will struggle to slow down early in Monday’s win.  “There’s definitely things that we’re focused on,” Adamek added. “On Monday, it was making sure our forwards get low on regroups and breakouts so that we can create speed through the neutral zone and on our line rushes.” The head coach said getting out to early leads allows the team to work on things that will serve them later on in the playoffs. Park City also wants to send a message about their level of play and dominance over the field this postseason.  “Our kids are under some pressure,” Adamek said. “We’re multi-time defending state champions, we’re supposed to be good. It’s nice for the players to jump out to those leads, just for confidence.” Adamek lauded his defense for helping maintain Monday’s lead and not letting Kelly find the back of the net more often. He feels grateful to be able to coach such a deep and talented team.  “I’m very blessed to be able to coach this group and in this organization,” Adamek said. “We just have so many good players, and it’s almost unfair to some of the teams that we play. ​​I was telling Tom, our assistant coach, on the bench that I would really hate to be a really good player on the opposition team because it’s going to be a really frustrating night.” Adamek and the Miners Red will be expecting stiffer competition from Skyline and everyone else moving forward. He said the team has to remain as focused as possible.  If Park City wins on Monday, they sit one more win from the state title game. If the Miners Red lose, however, they face a road that would require three more wins to reach the same stage.  “We had a really good practice Tuesday after our game,” Adamek said. “There’s a lot of good players on Skyline, and we need to make sure that we’re tuned in and ready to go.” Park City star goalkeeper Alex Harhi will be back in net on Monday against Skyline. Harhi and additional Miners Red goalkeeper Colton Hoffman trade off some games.  “We both love cheering each other on,” Harhi said. “You just enjoy every time you go out and play. And, even when I’m sitting on the bench, I still have a good time with the kids.” Harhi said he’s been working hard in practices. He’ll do everything the 24 hours before Monday’s game to put on the final touches toward his performance.  “Our whole team is amazing and full of a bunch of great kids,” Harhi added. “High school has been such a blast, probably the most fun hockey I’ve ever played, especially winning the back-to-back state championships my sophomore and junior years. … It would be an amazing end to my high school career (to win a third-straight state title).” The post Miners Red hockey rolls in playoff opener on Monday appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less