FORT FRANCES, Ont. – The Fort Frances Lakers got a goal and two assists, including one on the game-winner, from their captain Noah Loveday as he helped lead his side to a 5-3 triumph over the Dryden GM Ice Dogs in Superior International Junior Hockey League action Tuesday evening at Ice for Kids Arena.
First period play saw each side score once beginning with a nice deflection from Fort Frances forward Nakoda Thunderchief at 4:22 for his third of the campaign.
Dryden came back with the equalizer midway through the session with Josh Weber collecting his 23rd overall.
Moving to the middle session, the GM Ice Dogs went in front early as Justin Pitari finished off a cross-crease feed from Nolan Marshall from close range.
Going to the power play, the Lakers drew level at 14:30 with Peyton Hughes unleashing a high blast from the left side.
Driving to the net Flynn Perry cut in hard and tucked in his 17th to put the home side back on top with help from Loveday and Matthew Dyck.
The guests got that back in the final minute of the second, during a man advantage, that saw Evan Pakkala supply his 12th to even the score at 3-3.
Fort Frances then got the eventual difference maker seven and a half minutes into the third as Mathieu Harrold scored with the hosts up a skater.
Coming right back, the Lakers added some insurance moments later with Loveday banking one in off a Dryden defender from the right of the net to round out the night’s scoring.
Shots on goal finished up 38-35 in favour of Fort Frances with Dean Buchholz getting the win while Jacob Anthony suffered the loss.
Photo credit: Clint Bruyere