By Tanner Schafer
Spooner, WI – In a night that could have big playoff implications the Lumberjacks dominated the Bombers on the way to a 7-3 victory. Entering the night Sioux Lookout held a 3-point lead on Thunder Bay for 3rd place in the league with both clubs having 5 games remaining. Thunder Bay pulled off a come from behind victory over league leading Kam River closing the points gap to 1.
Wisconsin jumped out to an early lead scoring their first goal less than 5 minutes into the game. Ryder McMillen beat Sioux Lookout goaltender Ethan Penner on the short side to take a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Ryan Kayser and Zach Carson. Carson would make it 2-0 just 50 seconds later on the power play. He scored off the faceoff after the penalty had been assessed, assisted by Salvatore Poggiali. Halfway through the period the Lumberjacks were back on the powerplay and looked to extend the lead. Poggiali’s shot from the point was deflected off of Dylan Jouppi and finished in the back of the net. The scoring wasn’t finished in the 1st period as 3 minutes later Simon Davison would bury a one-timer from the slot to take 4-0 lead. Davidson was assisted by Dillon Phillips and Jouppi on the tally. Sioux Lookout was able to put 1 on the board themselves before the end of the period scoring on a 5 on 3 to make it 4-1. The goal was scored by Nathan Dann assisted by Connor Burke and Calum McGill.
As of late the Lumberjacks had been struggling in the 2nd periods of their games but it wasn’t a problem tonight as they continued to play at a high pace. Wisconsin scored 2 goals in the first 3 minutes courtesy of the McClure twins. First it was Connor McClure scoring a goal assisted by Brandon McDonald and Zach Carson. Cooper McClure would follow that up with a tally assisted by Dylan Olsen. Neither team would find a goal in the rest of the period despite plenty of power play opportunities.
5 minutes into the final period Carson would score his 2nd goal extending the Lumberjacks lead to 7-1. With the game in hand the Jacks would only have 1 minor stumble giving up 2 Sioux Lookout goals late scored by Nathan Dann and Blake Burke. Kyler Lowden stopped 30 of 33 shots and picked up the win. Ethan Penner was yanked after the 4th Wisconsin goal and finished with 8 saves. Zach Lance made 17 stops in relief. Zach Carson was the game’s 1st star with 2 goals and 2 assists. Connor McClure secured 2nd star with a goal and an assist. Nathan Dann’s 2 goals was good enough for 3rd star. The 2 teams will play again on Saturday.