THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Thunder Bay North Stars needed a couple of shootout tallies to help them edge the Fort Frances Lakers 3-2 in a Superior International Junior Hockey League contest Wednesday night at the Fort William Gardens.
On the first power play of the evening, Thunder Bay capitalized as Kyle Auger scored on the man advantage to put the home side up by one.
Fort Frances countered with a man advantage effort of their own late in the first period thanks to the 18th tally of the season by the Lakers’ Nick Lucas.
Action in the middle stanza saw the North Stars regain the lead midway through as Auger set-up Ryan Mignault for his 23rd of the campaign.
Avery Siau had a third period penalty shot for Thunder Bay to try and put his side up by a pair at 6:43, but he was foiled on his chance by Fort Frances goaltender Ismael Ralsten.
The visitors would tie it with 7:18 left in regulation on a Jack Dunnell goal to help send it to extra time.
After a scoreless five-minute OT, the shootout was needed to determine a winner.
There Bradley Thrower and Keigan Gerrie connected for the North Stars to win it while Adam Withers had the lone Lakers’ marker in extra shots.
Brandon Bodnar made 29 saves to pick-up the win while Ralsten helped his side earn a point with a 38-save performance.
NOTE: The North Stars final two home games will be played at the Norwest Recreation Centre, Friday vs. Thief River Falls and Saturday against Minnesota. Both match-ups features 7:30 p.m. starts.
Photo credit: Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com