FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Fort Frances Lakers forward Nick Lucas scored four times Tuesday, including his first Superior International Junior Hockey League hat trick to help lead his team to a 6-4 victory over the Dryden GM Ice Dogs at Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances got going offensively early in the contest as Ethan Knutsen notched his first SIJHL goal 1:42 into the contest.
After Evan Pakkala tied it for Dryden later in the first, Lucas connected on the power play to put the home side back on top at 12:37.
Eric Stout drew the GM Ice Dogs level once more 12 and half minutes into the middle stanza, which was followed by a frantic finish to the frame.
The outburst began when Jacob Siebenga gave the visitors the lead at 19:9 only to see the Lakers tally twice in the final seconds to regain the lead as Lucas converted back-to-back, including a buzzer beater at 19:59, as he clicked during man advantage opportunities.
Cole Allan’s second added to the Fort Frances cushion 15 minutes into the third before Dryden got that back with 1:13 to go on a Cameron Coutre power play marker.
However, Lucas secured the decision for the Lakers in the final moments with an empty netter to cap off his four-goal night.
MacKenzie Flett, Brett Hahkala and Chase Robideau dished out two assists apiece for Fort Frances in the triumph as did Stout and Eric Magas for the GM Ice Dogs.
Former Dryden netminder Jacob Gnidziejko made 33 saves to record his initial triumph for Fort Frances while Carson Murison faced 34 attempts in defeat.