HOYT LAKES, Minn. – A Miles Nolan goal in the seventh round of the shootout proved to be the decider as the Fort Frances Lakers pulled out their 11th straight Superior International Junior Hockey League victory, a 2-1 decision Wednesday at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
The tight-checking affair saw neither side capitalize in the opening 20 minutes as it remained 0-0 after one.
The lone tally in the middle session was provided by Fort Frances as Mason Meyer beat Minnesota starter Kyle Carignan at 5:20 to put the visitors up by one through two.
Meyer’s goal also allowed him to extend a consecutive game point streak to nine.
Hunter Routheau levelled the proceedings 8:21 into the third to force extra time.
The Iron Rangers carried the play in the five-minute OT, but could not solves Lakers’ netminder Nathan Park.
In extra shots the first three shooters for either side failed to convert.
Wyatt Cota and Routheau made nice efforts to connect for either side to keep the contest going.
Aftet two more misses, heading to the sixth round Dylan Robertson of the Lakers and Minnesota’s Alex Rezansoff both scored nifty markers to extend the proceedings.
Round 7 is where it ended as Nolan beat Carignan and Park thwarted Gus Karkinen to give the Lakers the decision and keep their winning streak in tact.
Shots on goal favoured Fort Frances 36-31 on the night.