SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014
Spicer scores early in OT as Lakers edge Iron Rangers 5-4
FORT FRANCES, Ont. – A Colton Spicer goal 19 seconds into overtime was the difference as the Fort Frances Lakers edged the Minnesota Iron Rangers 5-4 in a Superior International Junior Hockey League affair Saturday at Ice for Kids Arena.
Matt Vela put the Lakers in front via the power play at 8:09 of the first only to see Eric Madison tie things up for the Iron Rangers before the opening session was complete.
Minnesota then took a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes as Thomas Fazio connected during a man advantage for his first of the night at 11:29 of the middle stanza.
Bryson Jasper tied it for Fort Frances at the 40-second mark of the third only to see Fazio strike shorthanded at 3:06 to put the visitors back in front by one.
The see-saw affair then saw Wyatt Cota notch the equalizer midway through the frame to knot the score at 3-3.
Jasper added another for the Lakers 31 seconds later to put home side in front.
Answering back, Minnesota forced extra time with 9:06 remaining in regulation courtesy of a Matt O’Dea effort.
Early in OT Spicer won it finishing off a fee from Cota for his ninth of the season and third game-winner to give Fort Frances the extra point on the night.
Cota had two assists for the Lakers as did Lucas Debenedet, as the SIJHL’s point producer from last season had a pair of helpers in his 2014-15 debut.
Shots on goal favoured Fort Frances 36-31 with Ryan Ferguson picking up the win and Kyle Carignan helping the Iron Rangers pick up a point in the OT loss.
League play resumes Tuesday as the Lakers host the Dryden GM Ice Dogs in a 7:30 p.m. start back at Ice for Kids Arena.