FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Dylan Robertson’s goal in the fifth round of the shootout was the decider as the Fort Frances Lakers edged the Thunder Bay North Stars 5-4 Saturday in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Ice for Kids Arena.
It was all Lakers in the opening 20 minutes as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead on markers by Wyatt Cota, Miles Nolan and Bryson Jasper.
Thunder Bay battled back in the second stanza outscoring Fort Frances 3-1 to make it close getting power play efforts from Matthias Gardiman and Tim Cavar and an even strength tally courtesy of Avery Siau while Colton Spicer had the marker for the home side in the session.
The North Stars’ Nicholas Nigro forced extra time as he struck with the man advantage with 5:17 remaining in regulation.
After a five-minute overtime settled nothing, Fort Frances pulled it out in the shootout with Robertson notching the lone goal in 10 shots between the two sides.
Pierce Dushenko started for the Lakers and eventually earned the win allowing two against with Nathan Park also giving up two in a 25-minute relief stint and the duo combined to face 35 shots.
P.D. Melgoza made 26 stops, plus four more in the shootout to help the North Stars pick up a point.
The Lakers now enter the holiday break with game action resuming Jan. 3 with the Dryden GM Ice Dogs visiting the Ice for Kids Arena with a 7:30 p.m. start.