By Tanner Schafer
Fort Frances, ON – It was a comfortable night for the Kam River Fighting Walleye as the SIJHL’s top and bottom teams faced off in Fort Frances. The Lakers could never get anything going and were defeated 7-0.
The Fighting Walleye started their domination at the opening faceoff outshooting the Lakers 20-7 in the first frame. Despite being in control Kam River could only find one tally as Riley Borody tipped in a Josh Pufahl shot from the point near the halfway point of the 1st. Brenden Stroble on back-to-back nights gave a great effort in the first period to keep his team alive stopping 19 shots.
The rest of the game the Fighting Walleye were able to find consistent offense scoring 3 goals in the 2nd and 3rd. Kennan Reyelts would start the scoring just before the 10-minute mark was reached as he tapped in a blocked shot from Mackenzie Sedgewick. Late in the period Kam River would strike again scoring goals just 10 seconds apart off the sticks off Ethan Lang and Anthony Oveido.
Brydon Bell of the Fighting Walleye picked up the scoring early in the third he had goals at 5 and 9 minutes into the period extending the lead to 6. The first goal was a backdoor tap in off of a crisp passing play started with a won faceoff. The second he deflected in off a shot attempt by Jack Cook. Carson Gorst was able to net the final goal unassisted to arrive at the 7-0 final score.
Brenden Stroble saw plenty of rubber in the net as he stopped 46 of 53 shots in a losing effort. Jack Orchard got the start between the pipes for Kam River as he secured his 2nd shutout of the season with 19 saves. He is now tied with his teammate Eric Vanska for most shutouts in the SIJHL. Riley Borody was elected the 1st star of the game with a goal and an assist, Brydon Bell’s multi goal game was enough to earn him 2nd star, and Lakers forward Ryker Watt’s 3 minor penalties were enough to secure the 3rd star.
229 fans showed up to watch the bout at Ice for Kids Arena where the Lakers will face off on Sunday against the Wisconsin Lumberjacks.