WARRENDALE — If anyone was concerned about the Mars hockey team suffering a letdown after winning the PIHL championship game last year, those fears have been put to rest.

The Planets are off to a flying start, winning their first five games, including Friday's 9-0 shutout of Sewickley Academy at Warrendale BladeRunners.

Tyler Whiteford led the way with three goals and three assists, and Nicholas Blaney chipped in with a pair of goals for Mars, which scored four times in a 3:54 span late in the first period to take a 5-0 lead en route to the win.

"It was a little tough to get them focused over the summer," said Mars coach Steve Meyers. "We let them enjoy it. But once we got going, they cranked it up a notch.

"This is a great team to coach," Meyers added.

The Planets have outscored their opponents 39-2 in those five games. Against Sewickley Academy, six different players scored goals while 11 players recorded at least one point.

"We lost six seniors last year and we were more of a senior-heavy team," said Meyers. "This year, as a collective group, more of our guys can score. We have a little more balance. Our defense is very strong, and Tyler (Stepke) is a stud goalie."

Blake got the Planets rolling early Friday when he took a pass from Whiteford across the net and deposited it past Sewickley goalie Jimmy Compliment 2:58 into the game.

Whiteford followed up with his first goal of the night with 4:26 left in the period, scoring from just beyond the left faceoff circle.

That was the start of a Planets scoring explosion. as Hunter Sacchini, Whiteford and Blaney each scored in a 2:03 stretch, the latter with 32 seconds left in the opening period as the Planets were on their way to the rout.

Elliot Tisdale added a score off assists by Whiteford and Austin Heakins with 3:19 left in the second period for a 6-0 lead.

Stepke was sharp throughout and, thanks to his defense, had to make only 10 saves.

"Our captains on defense, Tyler Whiteford and C.J. Thibault, it starts with those two," said Meyers. "And Eric Attanucci and Kevin Leslie all play well. They're all familiar with each other and know where they're playing.

"With Tyler (Stepke) in net, we can make a mistake and be OK. We're confident with the guys back there," Meyers added.

In the third period, Michael Mazzotta scored a short-handed goal with 13:33 remaining to start the running clock. Blaney and Whiteford added one goal apiece to close out the scoring.