If the other coaches in Section 8A didn't think the Park Rapids-Menahga boys hockey team deserves to be considered the top seed for the upcoming section tournament, Thursday night's 4-0 win over Thief River Falls may change their opinion.
The Panthers improved to 7-0 against section teams and 19-0 overall by recording their fourth shutout of the season in impressive fashion before a packed crowd at the Ted O. Johnson Ice Arena.
"This was a big win against a quality opponent," said Park Rapids head coach Pete Stahnke, whose team is rated No. 14 in the latest state Class A poll. "If we can finish the season undefeated, I don't see any reason why we can't be the No. 1 seed."
The Panthers opened this section battle by holding a 14-5 edge in shots in the opening period. A goal by Bill Winkler with 2:24 to play gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Zach Knapp and Jared Naeve assisted on that goal.
Three goals in the final 4:57 of the second period put Park Rapids in control. Zach Lehrke scored at the 4:57 mark and Colter Hensel followed with two goals in the final 3:01. Hensel's second goal with :06 re-maining in the period provided a 4-0 lead. Tucker Coborn and Knapp assisted on Lehrke's goal while Lehrke set up both of Hensel's goals. Knapp also received an assist on Hensel's second goal.
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Goalie Mark Smith made the shutout hold up by saving all nine shots he faced in the third period. Smith finished with 22 saves to record his fourth shutout of the season.
Thief River Falls, which entered this game with an impressive 3-1 win over Moorhead on Jan. 15, a 3-2 loss to Warroad on Jan. 17 and a 4-2 win over East Grand Forks on Jan. 22, fell to 3-4 against section teams and 7-10 overall.
"We've played really well in our last four games, "said Stahnke, whose team outscored Northern Lakes, Lake of the Woods, Morris/Benson and Thief River Falls 21-2 in the last four outings. "When you move the puck the way we've been moving the puck, good things happen."
The Panthers put their undefeated streak on the line with a road game at Detroit Lakes Tuesday night. Park Rapids plays at Red Lake Falls Thursday night and hosts Kittson Central Friday night in two more section games.
Thief River Falls 0 0 0 0
Park Rapids 1 3 0 4
FIRST PERIOD: 1, Park Rapids, Winkler (Knapp, Naeve), 2:24. Penalties: Thief River Falls 1, Park Rapids 0.
SECOND PERIOD: 2, Park Rapids, Lehrke (Coborn, Knapp), 4:57. 3, Park Rapids, Hensel (Lehrke), 3:01. 4, Park Rapids, Hensel (Lehrke, Knapp), :06. Penalties: Thief River Falls 2, Park Rapids 2.
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THIRD PERIOD: No scoring. Penalties: Thief River Falls 3, Park Rapids 2.
GOALIE SAVES: Thief River Falls (Aandat) 13-7-6-26. Park Rapids (M. Smith) 5-8-9-22.
