RED LAKE, Ont. – The Thief River Falls Norskies saw Bryce Johnson notch his first Superior International Junior Hockey League hat trick Sunday night to help lead his side to a 4-1 victory over the Red Lake Miners at Cochenour Arena.
Johnson started quickly as he collected the evening’s opening marker just 27 seconds into the contest to put the visitors in front early.
Thief River Falls then picked up the eventual game-winner five and a half minutes into the middle session on Brett Piper’s team-leading 28th tally of the season.
Going to the power play later in the stanza, Johnson picked up his second goal at 13:57 as the Norskies took a 3-0 lead into the intermission.
Red Lake cut into the deficit with just over six minutes remaining in regulation on Michael Di Lullo’s 30th to bring the Miners to within two.
However, Johnson finished off his three-goal night in the late going by putting one into an empty net at 19:20 to secure the road victory.
Tyler Johnson chipped in with two assists to aid the winners cause.
Shots on net also favoured Thief River Falls by a 31-28 margin with Bailey Schmitz picking up the win and an assist in the triumph while Zach Willms suffered the loss.
The same two teams meet again Monday afternoon back in Red Lake at 2:30 p.m. in a Family Day matinee.
Photo credit: Patrick Boucha