Boys Hockey: Josh Hilluka’s goal gives Panthers OT win over Bagley/Fosston – Park Rapids Enterprise

PARK RAPIDS Josh Hillukka scored the game-winning goal to give the Park Rapids-Menahga-Nevis-Walker-Hackensack-Akeley boys hockey team its second straight overtime victory at the Ted O. Johnson Ice Arena.

Joey Hillukka and Conner Hanson scored the decisive power play goal 2:01 into overtime as the Panthers beat Section 8A rival Bagley/Fosston 6-5 on Friday, Jan. 20. Park Rapids beat Wadena-Deer Creek 3-2 in overtime. in the last performance at home.

Despite winning 14-5, the Panthers managed to tie the game 2-2 after the first period. Markus Olson opened the scoring for Bagley/Fosston with a goal at 5:26 before Joey Hillukka tied the score at 10:36. The Flyers regained a 2-1 lead on a shorthanded goal by Breckin Levins at 14:05 before Braden Stewart tied the score at 2-2 with 07 left in the period.

Alex Christenson scored 4:46 into the second period to give Bagley/Fosston a 3-2 lead before the Panthers answered with the next three goals. Joey Hilluka’s power play goal at 7:48 tied the game 3-3. Jeron Pinoniemi and Hanson helped in that goal. Wyatt Tischer set up Kale Ravnaas at 8:53, while Joey Hillukka and Hanson assisted on Pinoniemi’s goal 12 seconds later to give Park Rapids a 5-3 lead heading into the third period. The Panthers had a 14-6 advantage in shots at that time.

The Flyers scored twice on eight shots in the third period to force overtime. Isaac Schermerhorn scored at 11:14 before Quinton Fribourg’s goal with 12 seconds left forced overtime.

Bagley/Fosston whistled for an elbowing penalty 15 seconds into overtime, giving Josh Hillukkas the game winner.

Goaltender Sawyer Torkelson made 25 saves as the Panthers improved to 4-2 against division opponents and 8-5 overall. Bagley/Fosston, who had a 30-23 advantage in shots, dropped to 5-2 in period games and 11-6 in overall results.

WAHPETON’s Joey Hillukka scored four goals to lead the Panthers to an 8-4 victory over Breckenridge/Wahpeton at Stern Sports Arena on Thursday, January 19th.

The Panthers dominated play and finished with a 40-14 shot advantage in this Mid-State Conference game.

Reid Pinoniemi opened the scoring just 1:27 into the game off a pass from Parker Vinge, before the Blades tied it 2:05 later on a power play goal by Jace Johanson. Vinge and Ravnaas assisted on Joey Hilluka’s first goal at 4:09 before Park Rapids took a 3-1 lead as Jeron Pinoniemi and Hanson set up Josh Hilluka’s power play goal at 7:38. Breckenridge cut the deficit to 4-2 when Josiah Breuer scored on the power play with :03 left in the opening period.

Joey Hillukka opened the second period with his second goal at 5:57 from Hanson’s pass. Kai McDonalds’ goal at 7:38 made it 4-3 before Joey Hillukka completed the hat trick at 9:45. Vinge assisted on that goal as the Panthers used a 12-4 advantage in shots to take a 5-3 lead.

The Panthers controlled the third period using a 17-3 advantage in shots.

Ravnaas scored off a pass from Braden Stewart 6:10 into the final period before Josh Hoffman scored 15 seconds later as Brades trailed 6-4. Joey Hillukka scored at 4:05 after playing an assist from Ravnaas and Shad Torola finished the win with a goal with 18 seconds left in the game.

Torkelson had just 10 saves as the Panthers improved to 3-3 in conference play. Park Rapids, who beat the Blades 6-0 earlier this season, won despite going 1-for-7 on the power play.

Breckenridge fell to 0-5 in the conference and 0-15 overall. The four goals were the most this season for the Blades, who have been shut out nine times.