FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Make it a dozen consecutive victories for the Fort Frances Lakers in the Superior International Junior Hockey League as they won their 12th straight contest after defeating the Minnesota Iron Rangers 5-4 Saturday at Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances got off to a good start grabbing a 2-0 lead on markers by Dylan Robertson and Donovan Cousineau.
Minnesota answered back late to get one off the stick of Gus Karkinen to make it a 2-1 game after 20 minutes.
After Nolan Ross put the Lakers back up by a pair, the Iron Rangers countered with tallies by Noah Anderson and Evan Erickson to knot the affair at 3-3 through two.
In the third Robertson’s second of the night, 63 seconds into the stanza put the Lakers back on top.
A Nick Minerva power play effort with 4:44 remaining proved to be the game-winner with Anderson adding another in the final moments to round out the scoring.
Lucas DeBenedet dished out three assists to aid the Fort Frances cause while teammate Wyatt Cota had a pair of helpers as did Seth Chumley for Minnesota.
Pierce Dushenko made 24 saves to pick up the win in net for the Lakers.
Former Fort Frances goalkeeper Devin Tappenden faced 44 attempts in defeat for the Iron Rangers.
League play continues Tuesday with the start of the three-day SIJHL Showcase at Hoyt Lake Arena as Minnesota takes on the English River Miners at 7 p.m.