Park Rapids sophomore defenseman Kevin McMorrow described the end of regulation Friday against East Grand Forks Senior High as heartbreaking.
It was an interesting choice of words as McMorrow provided the heartbreaking goal later in the game. McMorrow scored a wraparound goal with 31 seconds left in overtime to lift Park Rapids to a 6-5 win over the Green Wave at the East Grand Forks Civic Center.
"I grabbed the loose puck at the blue line and carried it in," McMorrow said. "I saw a lot of bodies in the slot, so I brought it around the net and stuffed it. It was wide open."
Park Rapids improved to 6-0, while the Green Wave dropped to 2-3.
"We were gassed," Park Rapids coach Pete Stahnke said of overtime. "I'm sure they were, too. That was all guts. (Senior High) is a great team. We feel very proud to beat them."
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McMorrow's goal overshadowed Senior High's thrilling end of regulation.
The Green Wave pulled their goalie with 40 seconds left in regulation. From behind the net, Michael Lukkason centered the puck to Zak Aubol, who was open out front. Aubol one-timed it through goalie Mark Smith's five-hole with 13 seconds left to force overtime.
"We have to be able to control our emotions," Senior High coach Cory Chupka said. "We can't get too high or too low."
The teams traded goals throughout the game. The biggest lead was a brief 5-3 advantage for Park Rapids.
Senior High made it 5-4 less than two minutes later when Wikoff scored on a penalty shot. The Wave were awarded a penalty shot when Park Rapids defenseman Curtis Tolle froze the puck in the crease.
Zach Knapp, Zach Lehrke and McMorrow each scored two goals for Park Rapids.
Aubol and Joey Wikoff each scored two goals for the Green Wave, while John Grabanski had one.
Stahnke admitted the Wave entered overtime with plenty of momentum.
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"Especially when our guys keep yelling for water," Stahnke said. "To be honest, I was hoping to hang on and maybe Lehrke could bust free."
Senior High goalie Dale Enright, who played in his first varsity game, made 27 saves.
The Green Wave's usual starting goalie, Alex Christiansen, sat the game for breaking team rules.
Smith made 31 stops for Park Rapids.
