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Red Panthers score early to defeat Lightning

By Michael Trzinski, WiPH Staff, 02/14/15, 4:00PM CST

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Senior Emily Bubla stops 22 shots in final home appearance


The Point-Rapids Red Panthers scored twice in the first period and then held on for dear life during a five minute penalty kill midway through the final period as they defeated the Lakeshore Lightning 3-1 Saturday morning at the South Wood County Rec Center.

In what was the Lightning's third game in 40 hours, the home team struck twice in less than two minutes late in the first period to take a 2-0 lead.

Katrina Hassig lifted the puck past the glove of Lightning goalie Erin Connolly at 11:06, with assists to Bryar Brooks and Elli Esselman.

102 seconds later, Hailey Ehr tapped in a rebound to make it 2-0, with Brooks earning her second helper of the day.

As the period ended, Red Panther Carolyn Storch was whistled for a tripping penalty and that would come back to bite them early in the next period. The Red Panthers outshot the guests 15-5 in the period.

Lakeshore cut the lead to 2-1 a little over a minute into the middle period.

Defenseman MacKenzie Queoff fired a shot from her right defense position and it appeared that Red Panther goalie Emily Bubla was ready to make the stop. Just before the puck arrived, it was re-directed by the stick of Katie Gebhardt at the top of the crease and slid just past the left goalie pad to cut the lead to one.

It would take nearly the entire period, but the Red Panthers (6-13-3) countered with a power play goal of their own.

With just 1:24 left in the period, Zoe Derks' shot from the right circle was tipped past Connolly by Megan Nolan to give the hosts a two-goal lead. Brooks' third assist earned her a playmaker.

Shots were 15-7 in favor of the home team in the period.

The momentum nearly turned in favor of the Lightning with a five minute CFB major called on a Red Panther with just under ten minutes left in the final stanza. 

But the penalty kill units played well and Bubla held strong as the guests were unable to score during the 300-second infraction.

After another Red Panther penalty with just over two minutes left, Connolly came off for an extra skater but once again Point-Rapids played well 'one skater down' and held on for the 3-1 victory.

The Lightning (14-5-3) took advantage of the power play and outshot Point-Rapids 11-9 in the period.

Bubla--making her final home start for Point-Rapids--stopped 22 of 23 shots to earn the victory. Connolly--leading the state with a .951 save percentage--made 36 saves and was the victim of opportunistic rebounders on the Point-Rapids side.

Senior Hannah Beilke finished the home portion of her four-year career, playing in her 96th game for the Red Panthers.

WiPH Game Summaries