SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014
Photo credit: Gary Moskalyk
North Stars rally to edge Lakers in a shootout
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Brandon Wolframe notched the lone goal of the shootout as the Thunder Bay North Stars rallied late and eventually pulled out a come from behind 5-4 decision over the Fort Frances Lakers in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at the Fort William Gardens.
After Matt Vela staked Fort Frances to the lead 5:38 into the contest, Thunder Bay responded with markers by Dan McKitrick and Nick Nigro to grab a 2-1 cushion after 20 minutes.
The Lakers came out fast in the second stanza getting early tallies by Miles Nolan and Colton Spicer to go up 3-2 before the session was two minutes old.
The North Stars countered with a Ryan Walsh power play effort at 13:49 to level the proceedings once again as play entered the third period.
Wyatt Cota connected night midway through the frame put Fort Frances back in front, but Thunder Bay forced OT as Bradley Belisle stuffed in the equalizer with 18.5 seconds remaining in regulation.
After the five-minute OT failed to produce a winner, Wolframe backhanded the difference maker over the outstretched pad of Lakers’ netminder Devin Tappenden to give the North Stars the extra point in the shootout.
Shots on goal favoured Thunder Bay 39-34 with Eric Mann picking up the win as he also stopped all three attempts he faced in the shootout to give his side the extra point on the night.
Next up on the SIJHL docket has two games Friday as Fort Frances travels to Ear Falls to take on the English River Miners at 7 p.m. while Thunder Bay heads to Dryden to take on the GM Ice Dogs at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Arena.