SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2015
3-point night for Belisle as Thunder Bay tops Minnesota
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Bradley Belisle tallied twice and assisted on the game-winner as the Thunder Bay North Stars stopped the Minnesota Iron Rangers 5-2 Wednesday evening in a Superior International Junior Hockey League encounter at the Fort William Gardens.
The North Stars got on the board first midway though the opening period as Cashen Tighe notched his ninth of the season.
Belisle put the the home side up a pair early in the middle stanza before helping set-up Nicholas Nigro for his league-leading 16th power play goal of the campaign at 8:47.
Minnesota got on the board just 25 seconds later as Matt O’Dea’s effort eluded Thunder Bay netmnder Eric Mann.
O’Dea’s second of the night and 30th of the season pulled the Iron Rangers to within one 76 into the final frame to make it a 3-2 game.
Belisle, the Bemidji State of the WCHA recruit, then buried one during a man advantage to put the North Stars back up by a pair at 8:07.
Hayden Hickey then iced it with an empty netter with a second remaining to round out the scoring.
Tim Cavar dished out a pair of assists to aid the cause for Thunder Bay.
Mann was stellar in picking up the victory for the Stars turning aside 47 of the 49 shots fired his way in earning the decision.
Devin Tappenden saw 34 pucks fired his way in defeat.