Top-ranked Appleton United got a pair of power play goals in the middle period and held off a tenacious SPASH squad as they kept their unbeaten season intact with a 2-1 victory Friday night in the second game of the Community Parks Holiday Classic at K.B. Willett Arena.

The Panthers got off to an early start by scoring the first goal of the game just 29 seconds into the contest.

Freshman Cole Caufield banged home the puck from the low left side to give the home team an early lead. Brock Caufield and Jarett Jones got assists on the play.

SPASH had two power play chances in the period but didn't score. The period ended with United on the power play.

Shots were 7-5 in the period in favor of SPASH.

United did tally early in the second during the carryover power play.

Matthew Gruber walked in from outside right circle and beat the SPASH goalie, Phil Trzebiatowski, with a shot that nicked off the crossbar and ended in the net for the tying score. Kieran Brosnan and Lucas McKinnon were credited with assists on the play at the 1:11 mark.

The Panthers were whistled for three straight penalties in the middle of the period--much to the displeasure of coach Brandon Busse--but did not allow a goal.

During the tail-end of a 5-on-3, an Appleton goal was waved off as the player obviously threw the puck in the goal.

United scored with just under six minutes left in the period when Connor Zilisch scored from the low right circle on the power play, with help from Gruber and Erik Bargholtz.

The visitors had another pair of man-advantage chances, but SPASH held firm, including 20 seconds of a 5-on-3. United held an 11-2 shot lead in the period.

The final period saw fast and furious action, in between 25 minutes worth of penalties.

SPASH had a 5-on-3 chance for 70 seconds early in the period, but United's penalty kill unit kept the puck out of the net.