HOYT LAKES, Minn. – Chris Pedersen collected the lone goal in the shootout Friday as the Thief River Falls Norskies edged the host Minnesota Iron Rangers 5-4 in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
Alec Daman staked the Norskies to an early first period lead before Mark Sanchez tallied twice for Minnesota later in the frame to put them up 2-1 after one.
After Eli Kinsman made it 3-1 Iron Rangers 64 seconds into the middle stanza, Thief River Falls battled back with markers from Christian Larson at even strength and Johnny Bennis, via the power play, to knot the affair at 3-3 after two.
Heading into the third, Cole Emery made it 4-3 Minnesota at 3:11 only to see Parker Simonson tie it and force overtime just 16 seconds later.
After a scoreless five-minute OT, the shootout was needed to decide a winner.
It was there that Pedersen was the only marksman in six attempts to help his side earn the second point on the night.
Shots on goal in the contest were 34-31 in favour of Thief River Falls with Bailey Schmitz picking up the win and Tyler Thompson the shootout setback.
The clubs will meet again Saturday as they head to Ralph Engelstad Arena for a 7 p.m. start.