FORT FRANCES, Ont. – A Hunter Buzzi power play goal 73 seconds into the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Fort Frances Lakers went on to defeat the Minnesota Iron Rangers 5-3 Friday in a Superior International Junior Hockey League match-up at Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances picked up the lone tally of the first period, late in the session, on a Jack Bernie effort at 17:48.
Eli Kinsman tied it for Minnesota three minutes into the middle frame only to see the Lakers strike twice before the frame was complete on efforts from Jaedin Ness and Julian Uhryniuk.
Buzzi then potted the eventual difference maker early in the third to put Fort Frances up by three.
The Iron Rangers battled back to make a game of it once more as they tacked on two in the period to pull back within one.
Kinsman collected his second of the night and fifth overall at 7:52 before Bryce Litke clicked during a man advantage with 7:45 left in regulation.
However Skylar Lentz iced it late for the Lakers as he rounded out the scoring with 64 seconds to go.
Bernie had two assists for Fort Frances and Kinsman one for Minnesota as both players finished with three-point nights.
Mark Richter of the Lakers and Mark Sanchez of the Iron Rangers chipped in with two helpers apiece for their respective sides.
Fort Frances held the in shots on goals by a 45-27 count with Brett Akins picking up the win and Tyler Thompson suffered the defeat.
Photo credit: Clint Bruyere