Rachel Metz scored twice and added an assist to lead the Point-Rapids Red Panthers past the Northern Edge 4-1 on a frigid Friday evening at the South Wood County Rec Center in Wisconsin Rapids.

Perhaps an even bigger story was the play of Edge sophomore goalie Sophie Schmidt, who turned away 48 efforts by the Red Panthers in the contest.

The hosts struck first at the 9:02 mark on a nice wrap-around goal by Sarah Peplinski. After the initial shot by Molly Kuckkahn rattled around behind the net, Peplinski alertly scooped up the puck and one stride later, rammed it home between's Schmidt left skate and the post for a 1-0 lead.

The period ended with the home team holding an 18-4 shot advantage.

The Edge scored midway through the second to tie the game. Maddie Shinners scorched a shot on the ice from the slot that beat Red Panthers goalie Emily Bubla at the 10:00 mark, with assists to Sierra Vinger and Sierra Berg.

Point-Rapids regained the lead just over four minutes later on a controversial score. It appeared that Schmidt had the puck covered in the crease, but the refs did not blow the whistle and Metz was able to push the puck over the goal line at the 14:08 mark. Nicole Hassig earned an assist on the power play goal.

A friendly discussion between Edge head coach Angel Zimmerman and the officials did not sway the call and the goal stood. The refs stated the the goalie did not have the puck covered, much to the chagrin of the visitors' bench.

Once again, the hosts outshot their foes, this time by a 22-5 margin in the second period.

In the third period, the Red Panthers increased their lead to 3-1 before the ice had set. Brianne Huettner scooped a backhander from the slot that beat Schmidt on the blocker side, with Metz earning the helper on the play that came just 48 ticks into the period.

Metz put the icing on the cake with her second goal midway through the stanza. She gathered the puck in the neutral zone and broke into the clear before making a move on the goalie and sliding a backhander into the net at the 7:09 mark. Hassig was credited with her second assist of the game.

The Edge played with a fury the last few minutes, but Bubla was able to extinguish a breakaway attempt by Gabbe Millot with just under three minutes left to help secure the victory.

The Point-Rapids team held a slim 12-9 shot edge in the period.

For the victors, Bubla stopped 17 of 18 shots.