Gary Moskalyk recaps the final games of the first round of the 2025 SIJHL playoffs!
 | AT THUNDER BAY NORTH STARS |  | ||
| Keenan Marks recorded a 31-save shutout as the Thunder Bay North Stars defeated Fort Frances Lakers 4-0 before 1,282 fans at the Gardens. The Stars will face arch rival Kam River in the semi-finals. As for the Lakers' their five-year plan progressed greatly over the course of the year as they extended Thunder Bay to the limit and played .490 hockey over the regular season. Gunner Paradis stymied Thunder Bay's Tyler Jordan seven minutes into the game, make the finest save of a scoreless first period. Thunder Bay took control of the contest with three unanswered second period goals. Carter Anton struck for Thunder Bay at 6:04, snapping home his first of the playoffs with a shot from the point. Chance Loke scored from the slot at 11:34 for a 2-0 lead on a blocker side shot on a Stars power play. Beau Helmeczi capitalized on a Laker turnover at 15:51, netting his first of the post season unassisted on a wrist shot. There were no miraculous comebacks in this contest. Marcellus Francis sealed the win with a power play snipe at 16:47 of the third--his second of the playoffs. Marks made a final great save with time winding down to preserve his shutout. Final shots favoured Thunder Bay 41-31. The Stars took four of the seven minor penalties assessed but were 2-3 with the man advantage. Affiliated player Max Mikus picked up two assists for Thunder Bay. Another affiliate, Jack Lambert, joined him on defence. The semi finals start Friday night at Norwest with game two Saturday. |
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 | AT SIOUX LOOKOUT BOMBERS |  | ||
| Nathan Dann scored a natural hat trick in a span 8:12 as the Miners took the series four games to three with a 3-2 overtime victory over the reigning SIJHL champion Bombers. Nick Peters collected the win, stopping 44 of 46 shots. Brodie Wood scored his third goal of the playoffs, tapping in a cross-ice pass from Sage Roberts at 16:26 of the first frame. Roberts got his sixth of the playoffs when he tipped in Jackson Keeble's shot at 15:12 of the second period for a 2-0 Bomber lead. Sioux Lookout's Ty Kirk was hauled down and awarded a penalty shot at 7:19 of the third. Peters read Kirk perfectly to thwart the effort. Everything was pointing towards a Sioux Lookout win until Hurricane Dann blew in. Dann struck for a one-timer at 13:32 of the third to narrow the lead to one. The Bombers took a penalty at 15:45. Ofukany made a great save with about four minutes left to keep the Bombers up by a goal. Head coach Lee Stone pulled Peters for an extra attacker with about two minutes left. Dann, the Miners' top gun in the regular season with 29 goals, went high glove on Matthew Ofukany with 40 seconds left tying the game at 2-2, casting a pall over the Hangar. The Miners outshot Sioux 2-0 in the extra session. Dann got his hatty and fifth goal of the playoffs at 1:44 of overtime, going top shelf on Ofukany on a 2-on-2 for the game winner. His goal was unassisted. Sioux Lookout outshot the Miners 46-34. Both teams were assessed three minor penalties. The semi-final series between the Miners and Dryden begins Friday in Dryden. |
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