Zach Lehrke's five goals sparked the Park Rapids-Menahga boys hockey team to a 9-0 win over Morris/ Benson Tuesday night at the Ted O. Johnson Ice Arena.
The Panthers dominated this game, holding a 56-6 edge in shots on goal in improving to 18-0 on the season. Park Rapids is ranked No. 14 in this week's state Class A poll.
Park Rapids used a 23-2 advantage in shots to build a 4-0 lead after the first period. Lehrke opened the scoring at the 15:49 mark, Jared Naeve scored a minute later, Tucker Coborn scored with 4:45 to play in the opening period and Colter Hensel scored with 24 seconds remaining. Brandon Mick-elson, Zach Knapp, Derek Ricke, Lehrke and John Paulouski had assists.
The Panthers followed with another dominating period, outshooting the Storm 25-3. Goals by Mickel-son and Lehrke gave Park Rapids a 6-0 lead. Hensel set up Mickelson's goal at the 11:02 mark while Lehrke scored unassisted at the 6:57 mark.
With a six-goal lead, the third period featured running time and the Panthers sealed the win as Lehrke scored three times. Knapp assisted on the first goal at the 12:45 mark as Lehrke completed his hat trick. Coborn and Steve Smith set up Lehrke's fourth goal of the game with 11:55 to play before Lehrke concluded the scoring with an assist from Paulouski with 3:56 left.
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Goalie Mark Smith needed to make only six saves for his third shutout of the season. The Storm fell to 6-9-1 on the year.
The Panthers travel to Detroit Lakes Tuesday night.
Morris/Benson 0 0 0 0
Park Rapids 4 2 3 9
FIRST PERIOD: 1, Park Rapids, Lehrke (unassisted), 15:49. 2, Park Rapids, Naeve (Mickelson), 14:40. 3, Park Rapids, Coborn (Knapp, De. Ricke), 4:45. 4, Park Rapids, Hensel (Lehrke, Paulouski), :24. Penalties: Morris 1, Park Rapids 0.
SECOND PERIOD: 5, Park Rapids, Mickelson (Hensel), 11:02. 6, Park Rapids, Lehrke (unassisted), 6:57. Penalties: Morris 1, Park Rapids 1.
THIRD PERIOD: 7, Park Rapids, Lehrke (Knapp), 12:45. 8, Park Rapids, Lehrke (S. Smith, Coborn), 11:55. 9, Park Rapids, Lehrke (Paulouski), 3:56. Penalties: Morris 0, Park Rapids 1.
GOALIE SAVES: Morris/Benson (Johnson) 19-23-x-42; (Sinclair) x-x-5-5. Park Rapids (M. Smith) 2-3-1-6.
