SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014
3 for Vela as Lakers outlast Miners 4-2
FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Matt Vela scored three times, including twice in the third period, to help lead the Fort Frances Lakers to a 4-2 triumph over the English River Miners Saturday in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Ice for Kids Arena.
Vela had the lone goal of the opening period beating Miners’ starter Greg Harney at 15:15.
A Jake Staples shorthanded effort tied it for English River with the only marker of the middle stanza, which came at 12:20.
Staples then gave the visitors the lead midway through the final frame only to see Vela notch the equalizer just 30 seconds later.
That set the stage for Bowen Alcock to fire home the game-winner at 17:08 to put the Lakers in front for good.
English River pulled Harney in the late going in an effort to force overtime, but Vela finished off his hat trick with an empty netter with a second to go.
Devin Tappenden made 21 stops to pick-up the win while Harney faced 40 attempts in defeat.
SIJHL action resumes Tuesday with Fort Frances at home to the rival Dryden GM Ice Dogs in a 7:30 p.m. start at Ice for Kids Arena.