THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Nick Minerva had two goals, including the game-winner, as the surging Fort Frances Lakers won their eighth Superior International Junior Hockey League game in a row, a 5-3 victory over the Thunder Bay North Stars Friday night at the Fort William Gardens.
Minerva opened the scoring four minutes into the contest as he connected on the power play only to see Thunder Bay counter with a man advantage effort of their own at 7:11 thanks to Avery Siau.
The North Stars’ Kris Kellaway struck shorthanded midway through the contest to give them the lead, but the Lakers answered back with efforts by Bowen Alcock and Bryson Jasper to go back in front heading to the third period.
Minevera potted the eventual winner with 8:03 remaining to make it a 4-2 game while Lucas Debenedet added to the cushion a minute and a half later.
Daniel McKitrick added one for Thunder Bay in the latter stages of the game to round out the scoring.
Nathan Park made 36 stops to record the win for the league-leading Lakers.
Nathnial Dupuis faced 41 shots in defeat for the North Stars.