SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017
Lakers edge Norskies2-1 in SIJHL Showcase finale
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – The Fort Frances Lakers rode the 34-save performance of goaltender Jessie Heisz to help them earn a 2-1 victory over the Thief River Falls Norskies Wednesday evening in the finale of the Superior International Junior Hockey League Showcase at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Fort Frances opened the scoring 15:23 into the contest as Jared Virtanen notched his 19th goal of the season as he scored for a third straight outing.
The Lakers upped their lead just past the four-minute mark of the middle stanza when Brett Pickler picked up his second since joining the club earlier this month.
Thief River Falls pulled to within one with 12:33 remaining in regulation thanks to a Keaton Huot effort, which helped him reach the 14-goal plateau on the year.
Heisz however shut the door the rest of the way as Fort Frances secured the win and moved to within two points of the Norskies in the SIJHL standings, while also holding two games in hand.
Ryan Buttazzoni made 32 stops in the narrow setback for Thief River Falls.
The same two teams will meet again in regular season play Saturday at 7:30 p.m. back at The Ralph.