SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015
Fort Frances tops English River 5-3
EAR FALLS, Ont. – A Dylan Kooner shorthanded goal midway through the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Fort Frances Lakers defeated the English River Miners 5-3 Tuesday evening in a Superior International Junior Hockey League contest at Ear Falls Arena.
Each side would tally twice in the opening 20 minutes with David Pryde and Ryley Bosman staking the Lakers to an early lead only to see Brandon Schaber and Konnar Dechaine counter for the Miners to level the proceedings at 2-2.
Colton Spicer put Fort Frances back in front 31 seconds into middle stanza and Kooner, who just returned to the team, beat English River starter Reid Kilburn with his man down effort that turned out to be the difference.
The Miners replaced netminder Reid Kilburn after that marker and went with back-up Korlan Vader the rest of the way.
A late goal in the final minute of the second by Christian Ripley made it 5-2 Lakers as he notched his first SIJHL tally to put the two-time defending league champions up by three.
Special teams allowed the home side to pull closer with 9:07 remaining as Matthew O’Neill connected on the power play to round out the night’s scoring.
Robbie Bonthron dished out two assists to aid the winner’s cause.
Pierce Dushenko made 19 saves to earn the decision for Fort Frances.
Kilburn suffered the loss allowing four on 15 attempts while Vader stopped 18 of 19 in relief.