For two periods, the Point-Rapids Red Panthers kept pace with sixth-ranked Eau Claire Altoona (ECA) Stars.

After 34 minutes, it was a 1-0 hockey game, with 17 minutes left to decide the proceedings.

It took just over six minutes in the final, fateful period for the Stars to score twice and put the game on ice, later adding an empty-netter for a 4-0 victory Friday night at Eau Claire Hobbs Ice Arena.

The Stars grabbed an early lead on the visitors just 1:49 into the contest when freshman Isabel McDaniel grabbed a rebound on the low right side and stuffed it past Red Panthers goalie Emily Bubla to make it 1-0, with assists going to Camille Herzog and Lauren Larson.

After 17 minutes the hosts held that 1-0 lead, outshooting the guests by a 9-3 margin.

The second period was scoreless despite the fact that the Red Panthers had two power play opportunities. The Stars once again held the shot edge, 10-5.

Early in the third period, a defensive lapse led to a Stars goal.

Ellie Fadness skated up ice on the left side and hit Herzog with a tape-to-tape pass on the opposite wing. The senior captain zoomed past the surprised blueliners and beat Bubla to make it 2-0 at the 2:19 mark. Liz Rosemore also received a helper on the play.

Just under four minutes later, Bobbie Schultz took advantage of a turnover in the right faceoff circle and zipped a shot past the Point-Rapids netminder to increase the tally to 3-0. Mikayla Otto and Larson earned assists on the play.

After a failed Stars power play, Red Panthers coach Rachael Graves called a time-out with 2:34 left and then pulled the goalie for the extra attacker.

Point-Rapids put some pressure on the defense but the Stars were able to bust the puck out of the zone and then Otto applied the dagger with an empty-netter with 56.7 seconds remaining. Fadness and Rosemore earned helpers.

The visitors tried one last rush, only to see the clock run out on them and the Stars 4-0 victory. The Stars had a 9-6 shot edge in the final stanza.

Stars goalie Jordyn Bunce stopped 14 pucks for the shutout, her first of the year. On the other end, Bubla ended with 24 saves for the Red Panthers.