By Greg Seubert

MMC Sports Editor

WAUPACA – Cobe Acker’s big night led to a win for the Wisconsin Rapids boys’ hockey team.

The senior forward had a hat trick and an assist Dec. 3 in the Red Raiders’ 4-1 win over Waupaca at the Waupaca Ice & Expo Center.

The teams headed into the third period tied at 1-1, but Acker found the net twice in less than a minute to give the Red Raiders a 3-1 lead.

He also gave Wisconsin Rapids a 1-0 lead in the final minute of the first period, with Carson Gunderson and Blake Balko getting credit for the assist.

Jacob Dekarske waits for a faceoff Dec. 3 during the Wisconsin Rapids boys’ hockey team’s 4-1 win over Waupaca. Cobe Acker scored three of the Red Raiders’ goals and also had an assist. Greg Seubert photo

Waupaca tied the game on Braeden Ryan’s goal in the second period.

Acker gave the Red Raiders the lead for good with 12:09 remaining in the game off of Jack Lila’s assist and he completed his hat trick 52 seconds later with a power play goal off of an assist from Brady Skifton and Dane Kubisiak.

Andrew Sparks completed the scoring with another power play with less than three minutes to go, with Acker and Gunderson picking up an assist on the play.

Waupaca outshot the Red Raiders 31-13, and Wisconsin Rapids goalie Torger Stachurski made 30 saves.