HOYT LAKES, Minn. – The surging Thunder Bay North Stars picked up two goals from Kyle Auger, including the game-winner, Sunday to help them earn their 13th straight Superior International Junior Hockey League win, a 3-1 decision over the Minnesota Iron Rangers at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
Owen Belisle opened the scoring near the 17-minute mark of the first period as his 12th tally of the season gave the visitors the lead.
Thunder Bay extended their cushion 5:49 into the middle stanza thanks to Auger, who notched the eventual difference maker.
Minnesota answered that six minutes later though as Aaron Koivunen collected his third marker of the campaign.
It stayed 2-1 North Stars until late in regulation when the Iron Rangers had a power play and also pulled starter Tyler Thompson for an extra attacker to try and tie it and force overtime, but Auger iced it with an empty net goal with 49 seconds remaining to round out the scoring.
With the two tallies, Auger now has nine goals since joining Thunder Bay’s roster in January.
Five of those markers have been game-winners, three of which have come this month.
His totals in that category now lead all SIJHL defencemen and put him just two off a share of the league-lead.
The North Stars outshot Minnesota 40-17 on the night with Dougie Newhouse picking up the win while Thompson had 37 stops on 39 attempts in defeat.
Photo credit: Cherie Grams