Firing 23 shots on goal in the first period set the tone as the Park Rapids-Menahga boys hockey team dominated Wadena-Deer Creek in a 6-2 win Friday night at the Ted O. Johnson Ice Arena.
Goals by Sam Coborn and Tucker Coborn in the first period gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Tucker Coborn set up Sam Coborn's goal 3:10 into the game while Kyle Kanten received an assist on Tucker Coborn's goal at the 7:45 mark. Park Rapids held a 23-5 edge in shots in the opening period.
A four-goal second period put the Panthers in control.
Kevin McMorrow and Ryan Kent assisted on Andy Floyd's goal 1:34 into the period before Joey Osborn scored a power-play goal at the 4:33 mark to put W-DC on the board.
McMorrow set up Levi Erickson at the 6:58 mark, Tucker Coborn assisted on Sam Coborn's second goal of the game at the 10:21 mark, and McMorrow and Sam Coborn set up Tucker Coborn for his second goal of the game at the 12:55 mark to give the Panthers a 6-1 advantage. Sam Coborn's goal was on the power play. Park Rapids held a 21-6 edge in shots on goal in that period.
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W-DC ended the scoring with a shorthanded goal 53 seconds into the third period. The Panthers had a 9-6 edge in shots on goal in the final period.
Goalie Brady Yrjo made 15 saves for the win. The Panthers, who went 1-for-6 on power-play chances, finished with 53 shots on goal.
The Panthers carried a 4-4 overall record into Tuesday night's Section 8A game against Crookston. Park Rapids plays Eveleth-Gilbert at 8 p.m. Monday in the first round of the Home of Hockey Holiday Showcase at Eveleth. The Panthers face North Metro at 5 p.m. Tuesday night and play Monticello at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The Park Rapids junior varsity also plays in this tournament at Hoyt Lakes. The Panthers play Eveleth-Gilbert at 2 p.m. Monday, North Metro at noon on Tuesday and Monticello at noon on Wednesday.
