SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Photo credit: Clint Bruyere
Nigro notches OT winner as North Stars slip past Lakers to secure 2nd in SIJHL standings
FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Nicholas Nigro’s 33rd goal of the season coming with just 14 seconds remaining in overtime helped the Thunder Bay North Stars rally for a 4-3 come from behind victory over the Fort Frances Lakers Tuesday evening in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at Ice for Kids Arena.
Thunder Bay picked up the lone tally of the first period as Tyler Minoletti notched his 10th of the campaign four and a half minutes into the contest.
Fort Frances stormed out of the gate to begin the second stanza as they struck twice in a matter of moments to go up 2-1 before the frame was a minute old.
Matt Tustin connected on the power play just 35 seconds in before Dylan Kooner picked one up at even strength 18 seconds after that.
The Lakers then went up 3-1 at 15:26 of the session with Kooner adding another to reach the 35-goal plateau on the season.
John Parrott helped the North Stars get one back before the period was complete as his seventh made it 3-2 at 17:45.
The visitors forced extra time with 8:20 remaining in regulation compliments of Thunder Bay defenceman Ryan Walsh.
Then with OT winding down and the two sides playing three skaters apiece, Nigro won it for the North Stars off assists from Brad Thrower and Joe Newhouse.
With the victory Thunder Bay secured second place in the SIJHL standings and will have home ice advantage against a yet to be determined opponent in league semifinal play.
The North Stars outshot the Lakers 38-36 in the contest with Nathaniel Dupuis picking up the win while Brandon Bodnar helped his squad salvage a point in defeat.