THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – A Boe Bjorge power play goal with just over a minute and a half remaining in regulation saw the Thief River Falls Norskies win their 12th consecutive Superior International Junior Hockey League game Saturday as they edged the visiting Fort Frances Lakers 3-2 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Down a man near the midway mark of the first period, Fort Frances struck shorthanded to go up 1-0 thanks to Jaedin Ness.
It stayed 1-0 Lakers until just past the seven-minute mark of the middle stanza where Johnny Bennis tied it for Thief River Falls.
However Ness came back a couple shifts later to put the visitors back on top.
The Norskies then drew level midway through the third on Jared Pedersen’s sixth of the campaign.
Then with a lengthy power play in the latter stages of the contest, Bjorge beat Fort Frances netminder Michael Binczyk for the game-winner and keep the Norskies impressive run to start the season intact.
Parker Simonson had assists on both markers in the final frame for the home side to aid their offensive cause.
Shots on goal in the contest 33-28 in favour of Thief River Falls with Bailey Schmitz picking up the win while Binczyk suffered the loss.
Photo credit: Allison Garrigan