Byron Katapaytuk had a two point night and was the hero for the Lakers in a 3-1 victory over the North Stars tonight. Katapaytuk has registered 11 points in his last 5 games for the lakers.

There were no goals in the first period with both teams feeling each other out.

Jordan Christianson opened the scoring at 18:41 of the second period. Byron Katapaytuk picked up the assist on the goal. It would prove to be the only goal of the period.

The North Stars Quinn Rempel tied the game at 13:04 of the third. The game would remain tied until the 1:56 mark when Byron Katapaytuk would score his 4th goal in the past two nights and what would prove to be the game winner. Ryan Wildman was credited with the assist on the winning goal. Jaret LeClair would ice it for the Lakers, scoring an empty net goal with 12 seconds remaining in the game giving the Lakers their 7th victory in a row. Birthday boy Henry Gutierrez would pick up an assist. Merritt Rysavy also was in on the final goal for an assist. 

Tyler Ampe was in net and picked up his 18th win of the season.

The Lakers will now have a week off and will take to the road on January 14th, 2012 to face the first place Wisconsin Wilderness. The Lakers then head to Duluth on January 15th to face the Clydesdales.

SIJHL Media Update

FORT FRANCES LAKERS 3 THUNDER BAY NORTH STARS 1 – Byron Katapaytuk’s goal with 1:56 remaining proved to be the game-winner as Fort Frances defeated Thunder Bay.

After a scoreless opening period, Jordan Christianson opened the scoring for the Lakers early in the middle stanza.

Quinn Rempel fired the equalizer for the North Stars 6:56 into the final frame only to see Katapaytuk pot the winner in the late stages.

Jaret Leclair added an empty-netter in the final seconds to conclude the night’s scoring.

Tyler Ampe registered the win and Marc Nother was saddled with the hard-luck defeat.

Shots on goal were 34-25 in favour of the Lakers who improved to 26-8-4. The North Stars slipped to 16-12-5.