By Tanner Schafer
Spooner, WI – The Wisconsin Lumberjacks won what could be their final game of the regular season on Wednesday night against the Fort Frances Lakers 2-1. The Lumberjacks had a game canceled on Monday against Thunder Bay and it remains to be seen if that game will be rescheduled before playoffs.
It was a stalemate throughout the 1st period as neither side could find the opening goal. Brendan Stroble had a great night in net and stopped all 12 of the shots he faced in the 1st. Kyler Lowden on the other end of the ice was perfect through 7 shots. The lone entry on the scoresheet was a minor penalty assessed to Reid Zurkan.
In the 2nd period the Lumberjacks would dominate, outshooting the Lakers 16-6. Wisconsin also started the scoring as Dylan Olsen found the back of the net just over a minute in. He was assisted by Connor McClure and Ryder McMillen. And after another 2 and a half minutes had elapsed Kaden Postal would make it a 2-0 Lumberjacks lead. It was Postal’s 2nd of the year assisted by Zach Johnson and Dillon Phillips.
The score would stay at 2-0 the rest of the 2nd and into the 3rd where the Lakers would attempt to mount a comeback. The Lumberjacks held a big shot edge but the Lakers would find the 1st and only goal. Dylan Wedword scored assisted by Kevin Bond and Ian Snooks. Lowden would shut the door the rest of the way carrying Wisconsin to a low scoring victory.
It was a relatively clean game with only 5 penalties assessed, all of them minors. The Lumberjacks were 0 for 1 on the power play and the Lakers went 0 for 2. Dylan Olsen, Kaden Postal, and Dylan Wedword were the stars of the game. Lowden earned the win in goal stopping 18 shots. Stroble saved 41 of 43 in a losing effort. Fort Frances plays again against Sioux Lookout this weekend. If Wisconsin’s game against Thunder Bay isn’t rescheduled they will head into the playoffs on a 3 game winning streak.