RED LAKE, Ont. – The Thief River Falls Norskies stormed back from a late three-goal deficit to tie it then went on to win in overtime in a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Red Lake Miners Saturday night in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at Cochenour Arena.
Having won seven straight entering the contest, Red Lake jumped out to a 2-0 lead on markers from Michael Di Lullo and Stratton Pickett.
The Norskies did get one back before the first frame was complete on a Michael Crosbie effort.
Bryce Johnson then leveled the proceedings for Thief River Falls five minutes into the second only to see Di Lullo and Bryce Young, with his SIJHL-leading 30th, strike for the Miners in the back half of the session to go up 4-2 after two.
Shaye Sommerfeld then seemingly put the home side in full control with his fourth coming at 10:54 of the third.
However, the Norskies were not done yet as they countered with another Johnson strike four minutes later.
Continuing to press, the visitors added another at 18:08 from Michael Moreira then forced extra time with 22 seconds remaining in regulation off the stick of Blake Nelson with netminder Bailey Schmitz out for an extra attacker for Thief River Falls.
Moving on to OT, Nelson finished off the huge comeback 3:07 in to pull out the road decision.
The Norskies also held the edge in shots on goal by a 46-36 count with Schmitz picking up the win while Vince Benedetto suffered the loss in extra time.
Photo credit: Patrick Boucha