SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, March 21, 2014
Lakers blank North Stars to take 1 vs. 2 Showdown
FORT FRANCES, Ont. – A Kyle Lipinski power play goal midway through the second period proved to be the game-winner while Devin Tappenden turned aside all 25 shots he faced as the Fort Frances Lakers blanked the Thunder Bay North Stars 3-0 in the finale of the 1 vs. 2 Showdown in opening round playoff action in the Superior International Junior Hockey League at Ice for Kids Arena.
With the victory the Lakers win the two-game, total-goal series 6-4 and thus earn the right to choose their semifinal opponent in round 2.
After Lipinski’s man advantage effort, Lucas Dedenedet made it 2-0 Fort Frances with two minutes to go in the session.
The score stayed that way until the final minute of regulation when Bryce Lipinski iced with an empty netter at 19:26.
Eric Mann stopped 35 of 37 shots fired his way in defeat for Thunder Bay.
Earlier Friday the Minnesota Iron Rangers capped off a four-game sweep of the Wisconsin Wilderness to join the Lakers and North Stars in the semifinals.
The remaining first round playoff series in the SIJHL continues Saturday evening in Ear Falls as the English River Miners host the Dryden Ice Dogs at 7 p.m. in game 5 of their best-of-seven series, which is tied 2-2.
Game 6 goes Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Dryden at Memorial Arena.
SIJHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE/RESULTS (ROUND 1)
SERIES A
1 vs. 2 Showdown
No. 1 Fort Frances Lakers vs. No. 2 Thunder Bay North Stars
Lakers win two-game, total-goal series 6-4
Fort Frances earns right to choose semifinal opponent
Game 1: Thunder Bay 4 Fort Frances 3
Game 2: Fort Frances 3 Thunder Bay 0
SERIES B
Quarter-final
No. 3 Minnesota Iron Rangers vs. No. 6 Wisconsin Wilderness
Minnesota wins best-of-seven series 4-0
Game 1: Minnesota 5 Wisconsin 2
Game 2: Minnesota 4 Wisconsin 3
Game 3: Minnesota 3 Wisconsin 2
Game 4: Minnesota 6 Wisconsin 4
SERIES C
Quarter-final
No. 4 English River Miners vs. No. 5 Dryden Ice Dogs
Best-of-seven series tied 2-2
Game 1: English River 6 Dryden 2
Game 2: Dryden 3 English River 1
Game 3: Dryden 4 English River 2
Game 4: English River 6 Dryden 3
Game 5: Saturday, March 22 @ English River 7 p.m. (Ear Falls Arena)
Game 6: Monday, March 24 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. (Memorial Arena)
Game 7*: Wednesday, March 26 @ English River 7 p.m. (Ear Falls Arena)
*-if necessary