SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012
A night of firsts in the SIJHL
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – A number of firsts in the Superior International Junior Hockey League competition Saturday with one team winning their first game, another losing their initial contest while yet another moved into first place overall.
FORT FRANCES LAKERS 6 THUNDER BAY NORTH STARS 1 – At the Fort William Gardens the visiting Lakers got goals from six different skaters en route to their first victory of the season.
The lone goal of the opening period came off the stick of Fort Frances forward Davis Smith who beat Thunder Bay starter Bruce Corrigal at the 8:35 mark.
A Kevin Kurm power play tally 12 minutes into the middle frame extended the Lakers lead to 2-0 after 40 minutes.
Unlike Friday’s contest vs. the North Stars where Fort Frances let a third period lead get away in an overtime loss, they did not make the same mistake Saturday.
Quick tallies by Brendan Cawston and Merritt Rysavy increased the cushion to four before Matt Kaarela dashed Tanner Hamilton’s shutout bid at 6:09 of the frame with a shorthanded marker.
Jordan Christianson and Mason Meyer tacked on insurance efforts before time ran out helping the Lakers pick up three of possible points in the standings.
Jacon Nolan chipped in with a pair of assists to aid the offensive cause for Fort Frances.
Shots on goal favoured the Lakers 36-26 with Hamilton picking up the win while Corrigal suffered the loss.
MINNESOTA WILDERNESS 5 DULUTH CLYDESDALES 0 – At the Northwoods Credit Union Arena In Cloquet the Wilderness got a 20-save performance by JoJo Jeanetta to blank the Clydesdales.
The shutout was the third in a row for the two-time defending SIJHL champions who now have not allowed a goal in 189 minutes and 29 seconds.
Jake Larson tallied twice in the victory, including the game-winner, while Brian Drapluk, Jeremy Johnson and Zach Thielen added singles.
Chipping in with two assists apiece were Michael MacKinnon, Mike Dietrich and Joseph Drapluk.
Shots on goal were 60-20 in favour of the Wilderness who moved into sole possession of top spot in the league standings with a 6-1 record.
MINNESOTA IRON RANGERS 7 DRYDEN ICE DOGS 4 – The Iron Rangers handed Dryden their first loss of the season with the home ice triumph.
The Iron Rangers got a hat-trick from Jonathon Losurdo and a pair of markers from captain Joey Haydock in the victory while Trevor Hoth dished out four assists.
Austin Frank and Luke Karakas were the other Rangers’ marksmen.
Tyler Walsh notched a pair of goals for Dryden with Len Pelletier and Tyson Holder notching solo efforts.
The home side outshot the Ice Dogs 33-28 with Joey Rebedew securing the win and Kim Wildhaber being saddled with the setback.
SIJHL actions resumes Sunday as Duluth hosts Fort Frances at the Heritage Sports Center. Game time is 7 p.m.