SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Dec. 16, 2016
Photo credit: Clint Bruyere
Lakers’ Bruinsma 1st SIJHL goal is OT winner vs. Iron Rangers
FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Matt Bruinsma couldn’t have picked a better time to score his first Superior International Junior Hockey League goal.
The Fort Frances Lakers defenceman notched his initial league tally 1:32 into overtime to lift his club to a 4-3 triumph over the Minnesota Iron Rangers Friday at Ice For Kids Arena.
It was scoreless late into the first period when Fort Frances connected with just seven seconds left in the opening frame on Dylan Kooner’s 18th of the season.
Cody Merritt’s first SIJHL marker made it 2-0 Lakers 8:50 into the second stanza.
A Minnesota man advantage opportunity allowed them to get on the board 4:27 into the third as Isaiah Olschewske notched his second of 2016-17.
Connor Keith put the Lakers up 3-1 with just over six minutes to play, but the Iron Rangers rallied with a pair tallies from Logan Froberg late to force extra time.
In the OT, it was Bruinsma who provided the difference maker helping his team earn the second point on the night in thrilling fashion.
Jared Virtanen dished out three assists on the night for Fort Frances as he extended a consecutive game point streak to 10 straight outings.
Brandon Bodnar made 37 stops to pick up the win for the Lakers.
Jackson Nelson helped Minnesota earn a point with the OT setback facing 41 shots along the way.