SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013
Lakers edge North Stars in Marathon
MARATHON, Ont. – A Bryce Lipinski goal early in the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Fort Frances Lakers edged the Thunder Bay North Stars 3-2 Thursday night in Superior International Junior Hockey League exhibition game played at Marathon Arena.
The contest was one that served as a tribute and memorial game for four Pic River First Nation residents tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident last fall, including former Lakers’ forward Jaret Leclair, who had spent the previous three seasons with the club.
Miles Nolan started Fort Frances off on the right note notching the only goal of the opening period as he connected on the power play at 3:08.
The Lakers extended their lead with another man advantage marker in the middle stanza as Ben Smaha beat Thunder Bay start Eric Mann six minutes into the stanza.
With Nathanial Dupuis entering the contest in net midway through the frame in relief of Mann, the North Stars got on the board with 7:35 to go in the second as Bryce Maggrah’s attempt eluded Fort Frances netminder Jordan Cartney.
After Lipinski put the Lakers back up by a pair a couple minutes in the third, Thunder Bay’s Cary Brown made it interesting with 8:51 remaining, but that would account for the final tally of the night.
Shots on goal favoured the North Stars 41-37 on the night with Cartney picking up the win and Dupuis the setback.
Credit also goes out to the game officials in referee Denis Leduc as well as linesmen Rob Joy and Paul Bain, as the trio donated their efforts foregoing their usual game fees in memory of the four.