By Tanner Schafer
Spooner, WI – The Wisconsin Lumberjacks played one of their most complete games of the season, earning a 5-1 victory over the visiting Thunder Bay North Stars on Wednesday night.
Both teams showed up ready to play scoring goals in the first 5 minutes of the game. Connor McClure scored under two minutes in on a goal assisted by his twin brother and new acquisition Cooper McClure as well as Zach Carson. Thunder Bay was able to strike back with a shorthanded goal a few minutes later off the stick of Nolan Desjardins unassisted. Things would remain quiet the rest of the period with no more goals scored and only 2 minor penalties assessed.
The Lumberjacks would reclaim their lead almost 5 minutes into the 2nd period as Drake Flynn would beat Kennan Marks to make the score 2-1. The goal was assisted by Connor Hacker and Zach Carson. The penalties started to rack up as both teams played a physical brand of hockey culminating in a fight between Hacker and Easton Glousher of the North Stars. Fans were curious to see Hacker sit his full 5 minutes in the box and return to the ice before being sent off in what appeared to be a miscommunication with the officials. Late in the period Cooper McClure would make it a 3-1 advantage with Zach Carson picking up his playmaker and Connor McClure getting a 2nd point. William Forrester was in the net for the Jacks and he shut the door in the 2nd period and 3rd periods with a great performance.
The Lumberjacks would add to the advantage twice in the 3rd period on goals from Zach Johnson and Brandon McDonald. Johnson’s goal was assisted by Zach Carson and Dillion Phillips. McDonald’s tally came on the power play with Dylan Jouppi and Phillips getting the helpers.
Forrester stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced to secure the win, his first of the season. Kennan Marks had 28 saves in a losing effort. Wisconsin finished 1 of 3 on the power play with Thunder Bay going 0 of 6.
Cooper McClure’s goal and assist were enough for 1st star of the game. Zach Carson earned 2nd star with 4 assists. And William Forrester was the 3rd star of the game.
The Lumberjacks will play again Friday at home against top of the table Kam River. Thunder Bay is off this weekend.