HOYT LAKES, Minn. – Avery Siau had a pair of goals, including the game-winner, as the visiting Thunder Bay North Stars got by the Minnesota Iron Rangers 4-1 Saturday in the Superior International Junior Hockey League opener for both clubs at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
Alexander Erwin’s first SIJHL tally put Thunder Bay in front five minutes into the contest, which was the lone tally of the frame.
Minnesota drew level 76 seconds into the middle stanza as Zach Hayes also notched his initial league marker.
Siau came back with the eventual difference maker for the North Stars at 13:37 of the frame while teammate Joe Newhouse made it 3-1 a minute later as he converted during a Thunder Bay man advantage opportunity.
The score stayed that way until late in regulation when Siau sealed it with a late empty netter to round out the night’s scoring.
Brandon Bodnar made 33 stops to pick up the win in his North Stars’ debut.
It was also a victory for new Thunder Bay head coach Rob Degagne is his first game behind the bench.
Jackson Nelson faced 45 shots in defeat for the Iron Rangers.