RED LAKE, Ont. – An Ethan Stuckless goal 3:05 into overtime was the difference as the Red Lake Miners won their sixth consecutive Superior International Junior Hockey League contest Friday with a 5-4 triumph over the Thief River Falls Norskies at Cochenour Arena.
Action in the opening 20 minutes saw each side score twice with Connor Bowey and Blake Nelson giving the Norskies a pair of one-goal leads only to see Ryan Patterson and Stuckless counter for the Miners.
Red Lake took the lead with the lone tally of the second stanza that was supplied by Bryce Young at 10:54.
Young then added his second of the night and SIJHL-leading 29th to put the home side up by two at 3:11.
Battling back, Thief River Falls pulled to within one on a Matt Boren power play effort at 7:38 and then forced extra time with Alec Daman’s equalizer with 2:38 left in regulation as his 15th of the season tied it.
In OT, it was Stuckless that won it to give the Miners the win and extend their winning streak.
Keilan Toews dished out three assists for Red Lake on the night, including one on the winner while Young chipped in with a pair of helpers for a four-point night.
Young now has points in five straight as well as in 12 of 13 to lead all league skaters in offensive production with 47 points.
Vince Benedetto made 30 stops, including one on a first period penalty shot, to record the victory for the Miners with Bailey Schmitz’s 38 saves helping the Norskies earn a point in the setback.
The same two teams meet again Saturday back in Red Lake at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Photo credit: Patrick Boucha