THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – A Connor Kaltoff blast from the high slot with just 36 seconds remaining in regulation proved to be the game-winner as the Thief River Falls Norskies went on to defeat the Wisconsin Lumberjacks 3-1 in a physical Superior International Junior Hockey League encounter Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Following a scoreless first frame, Thief River Falls opened the scoring nearly 12 minutes into the second session when Jack Michels fed Isaac Baron, who snapped in his fourth since joining the club, as he beat Wisconsin starter Nathan Mueller.
On the power play in the third, the Lumberjacks drew level at 5:52 as Parker Brakebill came down the right wing and fired a shot into the top left hand corner to tie it at 1-1.
Then with overtime looming, the Norskies pinned Wisconsin deep in their own zone and following some action around the net, the puck slid back out to Kaltoff, who came in between the circles and blasted the difference maker that flew past Mueller into the left side of the net.
Off the face off, they added one more with Jonah Henderson buying his first SIJHL goal before time expired.
Shots on goal on the night finished up 31-25 with Wisconsin holding the edge in a contest that saw Caleb Sauer pick up the win and Mueller the loss.
Photo credit: Tim Burton