WARRENDALE — For the first 18 minutes, the Mars hockey team looked like an unbeatable force.

The Planets were absolutely dominant in the first period and the opening minute of the second period. They out-shot visiting Quaker Valley 10-0 at one point and built a 4-1 lead.

Then the penalties happened. Then the penalty killing struggled as it had all season.

By the end of the second period, Mars led by just one goal.

The Planets, though, settled down, got an empty-netter off the stick of Beau Heakins with seven seconds remaining and pulled out a 5-3 win over Quaker Valley at the Baierl Ice Complex Thursday night.

“I thought we had them on the ropes and we could have really sent a message to the league,” said Mars coach Steve Meyers. “Consistency has been a problem for us this year. We can go out in a period and be the most dominant team in the league, we can go out and crush teams. Then in a span of two penalties, everything changes.

“That's something we have to figure out real soon,” Meyers added. “We're halfway through the second period and they have six shots and then in the next six minutes they have 12 or 14. It's maddening to me. It's driving me crazy.”

Mars (14-4-2) drove Quaker Valley goalie Connor Gatesman crazy early.

The Planets peppered Gatesman to the tune of 20 shots in the first 20 minutes in building that 4-1 lead.

Michael McCann, Beau Heakins, Patrick Roach and Noah Raymundo each scored a goal in the opening flurry for Mars.

But the Quakers (13-7) adjusted their lines and also benefitted from a string of Planet penalties in the second period.

Ricardo Fernandez scored a pair of goals in the period, including one with just 22 seconds remaining, to cut the lead to 4-3.

Mars skated the majority of the second period a man down — and sometimes two.

Fernandez's first goal came when Quaker Valley had a five-on-three advantage.

“I thought five-on-five we were dominant,” Meyers said. “I think they only had eight shots on five-on-five. Our penalty kills have been an issue all year. It's kind of been a work in progress right now. It needs to get better in a hurry. We need to do a better job keeping our composure and staying out of the box.”

Quaker Valley was playing without its best player, Connor Quinn, who was with his traveling team playing in a tournament.

Quinn has 35 goals and 34 assists this season.

“We had some young guys out there,” said Quaker Valley coach Kevin Quinn. “And we were without our best player. With that, there's a void. It's nice when you can see younger guys filling in important roles, meaningful roles and doing a good job.

“It's kind of one of those years for us,” coach Quinn added. “We're transitional, but we're still successful.”

Mars didn't mount much offense, but turned Quaker Valley away in the third period.

Planets' goalie Tyler Spreng had 20 saves and some key ones in the final period.

“Mars is the same way they've always been. They are a very good hockey team,” Quinn said. “Quaker Valley and Mars have a history, particularly in the PIHL playoffs. “We love the battle. There's no animosity. It's just good hockey.”

Meyers hopes his team can play good hockey for an entire 51 minutes.

“I'm not disgusted totally with the effort,” Meyers said. “Like I said, I thought five-on-five we were very good. We just can't lose our heads for eight minutes. That's how you lose playoff hockey games.”