SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016
Photo credit: Clint Bruyere
Fort Frances needs shootout to edge Minnesota
FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Nolan Ross notched the lone goal in the shootout as the Fort Frances Lakers earned a narrow 3-2 decision over the visiting Minnesota Iron Rangers Saturday in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances picked up the only tally in the first period with 3:45 to go as Dylan Robertson collected his 21st marker of the season for the Lakers.
Minnesota came back and struck twice in the second session to grab a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes on a pair of power play efforts supplied by Alex Mimmack and Eric Madison just 32 seconds apart.
The home side forced over time with a man advantage effort of their own 7:34 into the third thanks to Roshen Jaswal.
It stayed 2-2 through the remainder of regulation and the five-minute OT thus forcing extra shots to determine a winner.
There Lakers goalkeeper Brandon Bodnar thwarted all three Iron Rangers attempts he faced in the shootout while Anthony Pupplo stopped the first two Fort Frances efforts in the Minnesota net, but saw Ross beat him with the difference maker to end it.
Fort Frances held the edge in shots by a 42-27 count.
SIJHL action resumes Tuesday with the start of their annual Showcase in Hoyt Lakes and Virginia, Minn.
All five SIJHL clubs will be competing as will the Cochrane Crunch of the NOJHL.
Each game will be available online at FASTHockey.com on a pay-per-view basis.
SIJHL Showcase
All start times CT
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Thunder Bay North Stars vs. Fort Frances Lakers 3 p.m. (Hoyt Lakes)
Cochrane Crunch (NOJHL) vs. Minnesota Iron Rangers 7 p.m. (Hoyt Lakes)
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Cochrane Crunch (NOJHL) vs. Fort Frances Lakers 1 p.m. (Miners Memorial – Virgina)
Dryden GM Ice Dogs vs. Thunder Bay North Stars 4 p.m. (Miners Memorial – Virgina)
English River Miners vs. Minnesota Iron Rangers 7:30 p.m. (Miners Memorial – Virgina)
Thursday, Jan. 28
Fort Frances Lakers vs. English River Miners 3 p.m. (Hoyt Lakes)
Minnesota Iron Rangers vs. Dryden GM ice Dogs 7 p.m. (Hoyt Lakes)