COCHENOUR, Ont. – A Jacob Siebenga goal with just 27 seconds remaining in regulation lifted the English River Miners to a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Fort Frances Lakers Saturday in a Superior International Junior Hockey League match-up at Cochenour Arena.
English River started strong by grabbing an early 2-0 lead on tallies from Nic Herringer and Brody Jennings.
Fort Frances got one back before the first period was done compliments of Noah Loveday.
Laker’s affiliate James Gushulak’s first SIJHL goal two and a half minutes into the middle session tied things up before teammate Jaedin Ness connected on the power play at 12:14 to put the Lakers in front.
However the Miners answered right back with a man advantage of their own just 45 seconds later off the stick of Landon Russell.
The back and forth contest saw Gushulak notch his second goal of the night midway through the third to put the visitors up by one.
However, English River countered quickly once more as Stratton Pickett leveled the proceedings with his side up a man with 7:12 to go.
Then with overtime looming, Siebenga’s late heroics lifted the Miners to the thrilling home ice victory.
Michael Lenko made 28 saves to register the win for English River while Ismael Ralsten faced 38 shots in defeat for Fort Frances.
The same two sides meet again Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. back at Cochenour Arena.
Photo credit: Patrick Boucha