FORT FRANCES, Ont. – A Miles Nolan goal 17:26 of the second period proved to be the difference as the Fort Frances Lakers edged the Thunder Bay North Stars 2-1 Saturday evening in a hard-fought Game 2 of their Superior International Junior Hockey League semfinal series at Ice for Kids Arena.
With the win, Fort Frances now leads the best-of-seven set 2-0 as the series shifts to the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay for Game 3 Monday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
The Lakers picked up the lone tally of the opening period as Mason Meyer connected on the power play at 17:26 of the stanza.
Thunder Bay tied it at 12:13 of the second as North Stars defenceman Tim Cavar struck shorthanded to knot the contest at 1-1.
Nolan then buried the game-winner for the Lakers just over five minutes later to round out the scoring.
The visitors had a late man advantage opportunity in regulation to try and force overtime and pulled starter Eric Mann to have an extra skater, but could not solve Nathan Park in the Fort Frances net before time expired.
Park finished with 28 saves to pick-up the win for the Lakers.
Mann was equally as solid in defeat for Thunder Bay as he made 38 stops for the North Stars in the setback.
SIJHL SEMIFINAL SERIES A
No. 1 Fort Frances Lakers vs. No. 4 Thunder Bay North Stars
Fort Frances leads best-of-seven series 2-0
Game 1: Fort Frances 6 Thunder Bay 2
Game 2: Fort Frances 2 Thunder Bay 1
Game 3: Monday, March 30 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m. (Fort William Gardens)
Game 4: Tuesday, March 31 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m. (Fort William Gardens)
Game 5*: Thursday, April 2 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m. (Ice for Kids Arena)
Game 6*: Saturday, April 4 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m. (Fort William Gardens)
Game 7*: Monday, April 6 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m. (Ice for Kids Arena)
*-if necessary