SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Thunder Bay staves off elimination with Game 4 win
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Nicholas Nigro had a goal and three assists to help the Thunder Bay North Stars pull out a 6-5 victory over the Fort Frances Lakers Tuesday evening in Game 4 of their Superior International Junior Hockey League semfinal series at the Fort William Gardens.
With the results, the North Stars staved off elimination as forced a Game 5 in series Thursday back in Fort Frances at Ice For Kids Arena at 7:30 p.m. The Lakers still lead the best-of-seven set 3-1.
Facing a must-win to keep their season alive, Thunder Bay came out quickly, opening the scoring 1:24 into the contest, as captain Kris Kellaway connected on an early man advantage opportunity.
The Lakers battled back with tallies 51 seconds apart off the sticks to Bowen Alcock and Nolan Ross to go up 2-1.
Daniel McKitrick answered right back for the home side on the next shift to level the proceedings with the North Stars adding later efforts from Nigro and Kenny Turner, who connected on the power play, to go up 4-2 after one.
After Matthias Gardiman put Thunder Bay up by three, Lakers’ defenceman Nick Minerva brought his side closer with one during a man advantage at 11:09.
Wyatt Cota made it 5-4 game as he narrowed the gap at 4:21 only to see Kellaway notch his second power play marker of the night and eventual game-winner four minutes later.
The Lakers pulled starter Pierce Dushenko in the late stages in an effort to get closer and were rewarded were another by Ross with 15 seconds to go.
Thunder Bay did hang on from there however to pull out the win and send the series to at least Game 5 Thursday back in Fort Frances.
Nathaniel Dupuis finished with 47 saves to record the victory for the North Stars.
Dushenko faced 28 shots in defeat for the Lakers.
SIJHL SEMIFINAL SERIES A
No. 1 Fort Frances Lakers vs. No. 4 Thunder Bay North Stars
Fort Frances leads best-of-seven series 3-1
Game 1: Fort Frances 6 Thunder Bay 2
Game 2: Fort Frances 2 Thunder Bay 1
Game 3: Fort Frances 5 Thunder Bay 4
Game 4: Thunder Bay 6 Fort Frances 5
Game 5: Thursday, April 2 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m. (Ice for Kids Arena)
Game 6*: Saturday, April 4 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m. (Fort William Gardens)
Game 7*: Monday, April 6 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m. (Ice for Kids Arena)
*-if necessary