HOYT LAKES, Minn. – Lucas Debenedet tallied twice, including the game-winner, and set-up two others to help propel the Fort Frances Lakers to their seventh consecutive victory, a 7-5 decsion over the Minnesota Iron Rangers Tuesday evening in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
Fort Frances jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one period of play on markers by Nick Minerva and Marco Romano.
The two sides then combined for seven tallies in the middle session with Mason Meyer, Bryson Jasper, and Debenedet notching his pair connecting for the Lakers while Minnesota got a trio of power play efforts from Thomas Fazio, Drew Millis and Fazio once again with seven seconds left in the frame.
After A.J. Kapcheck made it 7-3 Lakers near the seven-minute mark of the third, the Iron Rangers got their fourth of the night with the man advantage midway through the session courtesy of Seth Chumley.
Alex Arnold added one at even strength in the waning moments of the contest for the home side to round out the scoring.
Pierce Dushenko finished the night with 34 stops to earn the victory for Fort Frances.
Bryan Abell started for Minnesota and allowed five against on 17 shots while Kyle Carignan gave up two on nine attempts and suffered the loss in relief.
Lakers play resumes Friday as they visit the Thunder Bay North Stars at the Fort William Gardens in a 7:30 p.m. cst start.