RED LAKE, Ont. – Jordan Baranesky notched three goals for his first career Superior International Junior Hockey League hat trick as his offensive efforts helped lead the Red Lake Miners to a 5-3 triumph over the Thief River Falls Norskies Thursday evening at Cochenour Arena.
Baranesky opened the scoring 13 minutes into the match-up as he collected his first of the night.
Red Lake then went up by a pair at 18:46 during a man advantage as Hunter Halcrow let a shot go from the point that clipped off Baranesky and in.
The Miners extended their lead seven and a half minutes into the middle session as Bryce Krauter stuffed in his first SIJHL goal from the left of the crease.
Thief River Falls got on the board a couple of shifts later as Jack Michels sent Nick Harder in alone on a breakaway where he lifted one upstairs on Red Lake netminder Zach Willms.
The home side restored their cushion before the period was complete though as Ethan Stuckless buried his 14th of the season to make it 4-1 after two.
Darting in alone on a chance in the third, Michels neatly tucked one between the legs on Willms to pick up his 20th tally of the campaign.
Parked in front once more, Baranesky completed his hat trick by redirecting in a Skylar Tremblay attempt from just inside the blueline.
Harder added one more for the Norskies with just under six minutes to play as his close-range man advantage effort rounded out the night’s scoring.
Ryan Howe dished out three assists to aid the Miners cause.
Shots on goal on the night finished 40-36 in favour of Thief River Falls with Willms picking up the victory while the Norskies’ Caleb Sauer suffered the loss.
Photo credit: Patrick Boucha