HOYT LAKES, Minn. – Cody Hendrickson’s first Superior International Junior Hockey League goal, coming 45 seconds into overtime, was the decider as the Minnesota Iron Rangers upended the Thief River Falls Norskies 4-3 Thursday at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
Mihali See began his night by giving Minnesota the lead 5:50 into the contest.
Thief River Falls would tie it though before the first frame was complete as Cody Aarvig connected on the power play at 16:41.
Action in the middle stanza saw the Iron Rangers regain the lead thanks to Cameron Birkeland’s 1st SIJHL tally.
The Norskies drew level once more on another Aarvig effort only to see the home side take their third lead of the evening, via the man advantage, just 47 seconds later off the stick of Erik Colstrup.
Thief River Falls battled back to pull even once more as Connor Schuster connected a minute and a half into the third to help force extra time.
In the OT, Minnesota broke out with Colstrup getting it up to Zac Horn who fed an open Hendrickson on the right side, where he ripped the game-winner from the face-off dot over the shoulder of Norskies’ netminder Jackson Nelson to end it.
See chipped in with two assists for the Iron Rangers in the win while Connor Bowey had a pair of helpers for Thief River Falls.
Tyler Thompson made 36 stops to records the victory while Nelson faced 32 attempts in defeat for the Norskies, who did earn a point on the night.
Photo credit: Cherie Grams