SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE
Release date: Sunday, April 14, 2013
Carlson OT hero as Lakers even SIJHL final at a game apiece
FORT FRANCES, Ont. – A Jon Carlson power play goal 6:16 into overtime lifted the Fort Frances Lakers to a 2-1 come from behind victory over the Minnesota Wilderness Sunday evening in game 2 of the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s Bill Salonen Cup final at Ice for Kids Arena.
With the victory the best-of-seven affair is now knotted 1-1 with game 3 set for Wednesday at Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet at 7:30 p.m.
The lone tally of the opening frame came late in the session as the Wilderness connected with a man advantage marker courtesy of Nick McCormack at 16:03.
A tight-checking middle stanza saw neither side manage to find the back of the net to keep it at 1-0 Wilderness after 40 minutes.
Pressing for the equalizer late in regulation the hometown Lakers were rewarded during a delay of game infraction to the Wilderness as John Dora snapped a shot from the right point past Gordy Defiel with 3:27 remaining after a clean face-off win by Jacob Nolan back to Owen Stauber who fed Dora for the tying marker.
IN OT with Fort Frances on the tail end of a power play opportunity, Kevin Kurm sent a cross-ice pass over to a pinching Carlson from his left defensive position who, lifted the game-winner over Gordy Defiel to even up the series.
Talor Joseph made 32 stops to earn the win while Defiel saw 30 shots in a losing cause.
The SIJHL champion will then advance to the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A championship in North Bay April 30 through May 4.
Bill Salonen Cup final schedule
Game 1: Wilderness 5 Lakers 1
Game 2: Lakers 2 Wilderness 1 (OT)
Game 3: Wednesday, April 17 @ Minnesota 7:30 p.m. (Northwoods Credit Union Arena)
Game 4: Friday, April 19 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m. (Ice for Kids Arena)
Game 5: Saturday, April 20 @ Minnesota 7:30 p.m. (Northwoods Credit Union Arena)
Game 6*: Monday, April 22 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m. (Ice for Kids Arena)
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 24 @ Minnesota 7:30 p.m. (Northwoods Credit Union Arena)
*-if necessary