FORT FRANCES, Ont. – The Fort Frances Lakers broke open a tie game with four unanswered goals to pull out a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Iron Rangers Sunday evening in a Superior International Junior Hockey League exhibition match-up at Ice for Kids Arena.
Each side would score twice in the first period with Kaleb Bruyere and Kirk Coppock connecting for Fort Frances while Cameron Kearse and Kip Knutson countered for Minnesota.
An early power play helped the Lakers pick up the eventual game-winner in the second as Jake Clendenning connected on the man advantage 18 seconds into the middle frame.
Noah Loveday added one at even strength a minute and a half later before Isaac Baron made it 5-2 for the hosts after 40 minutes.
Nick Lucas then wrapped up the win in the latter stages of the third to finish things off.
Fort Frances out shot the Iron Rangers 55-20 on the night with Dawson Rodin picking up the win.
Kolton Kringstad started for Minnesota and played half the game handling 18 of the 22 attempts he saw while Synjen Amende turned aside 31 of 33 in relief.
Preseason play continues Friday as the Thief River Falls Norskies host the Winkler Flyers (MJHL) at 7 p.m. at Ralph Engelstad Arena while Fort Frances entertains the Red Lake Miners at 7:30 p.m. CT back at Ice for Kids Arena.
Exhibition action will then conclude Saturday with the Lakers and Miners meeting at Cochenour Arena. Game time there is 7:30 p.m. CT.