WELLS — Efficient use of its power play paid off for Escanaba in a 6-1 hockey triumph over first-year entry Manistique here Friday night.

The Eskymos converted on 3-of-6 power plays while improving to 9-6 with their third straight victory and fourth in five games.

Junior forward Sawyer LaMarch tied the score on a power play with 47 seconds left in the first period and senior forward Jayger LaMarch added an unassisted power play goal from inside the right faceoff circle 4:56 into the second stanza.

“We finally got back in the ice on Monday,” said Esky coach Andy Johnson. “We changed our power play a little bit, and it seemed to work. We also stressed staying out of the (penalty) box, and our forechecking was very disciplined.

“I think we gained some momentum after our first goal, and in the second period, we could see the boys were having fun and working hard.”

The Eskymos gained a two-goal cushion on junior forward Brayden Martineau’s one-timer from outside the left circle at 11:01 in the second frame.

Sawyer LaMarch then made it 4-1 from inside the left circle 1:57 into the third.

Jayger LaMarch added his second goal on a rebound at three minutes, and junior forward Trevor Streichert ended the scoring on a power play 2 1/2 minutes later.

“Overall, this was a good experience for our kids,” said Manistique coach John Nutkins. “They showed us what it takes to compete at this level. Going from a house team to high school is a big learning curve, and we found out just how big that curve is. This was a good eye-opener tonight.”

Manistique’s Dakota Maki scored on the game’s first shot from the right circle at 5:14.

“The first goal gave us a lot of energy,” said Nutkins. “The effort was there. We have a long way to go, but there’s a lot of season left. Their power play was real efficient, and their penalty kill was very good.”

The Emeralds (3-2-1) came up empty on three power plays.

Esky, which missed on several shorthanded chances, outshot the Emeralds 32-10.

“The first period was tough. Then, in the second period, we kept grinding away,” said Johnson. “That was a nice goal by Maki. He got the shot off quick and caught the right corner. It’s good for them to get their program up and running. They were playing on adrenaline in the first period. They came out flying.”

The Eskymos held a 9-4 shots on goal advantage in the opening frame and outshot Manistique 12-2 in the second.

Manistique goaltender Alex Noble made 26 saves, and Esky senior Dylan Ziemke stopped nine shots.

The Eskymos meet Utica Friday night in the Traverse City showcase, then face the host Bay Area Reps Saturday night.

Manistique 1 0 0 — 1

Escanaba 1 2 3 — 6

Scoring plays:

First period

M — Maki (Miller), 5:14

E — S. LaMarch (Bourdeau), 16:18 (power play)

Second period

E — J. LaMarch (unassisted), 4:56 (power play)

E — Martineau (S. LaMarch, Krutina), 11:01

Third period

E — S. LaMarch, 1:57

E — J. LaMarch (S. LaMarch), 3:00

E — Streichert (J. LaMarch), 5:30

Statistics:

Shots on goal: Escanaba 32, Manistique 10

Power plays: Escanaba 3-6, Manistique 0-3

Goaltender saves: Escanaba (Ziemke 9), Manistique (Noble 26).