THUNDER BAY, Ont. – A Kyle Auger goal just past the 16-minute mark of the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Thunder Bay North Stars went on to edge the Fort France Lakers 2-1 in a low-scoring Superior International Junior Hockey League goaltender’s battle at the Fort William Gardens.
Shots on net on the night were 38 apiece with netminders Brock Aiken of Thunder Bay and Jacob Gnidziejko of Fort Frances both turning in solid performances for the their respective clubs.
The North Stars did get off to a quick start, notching the opening tally of the contest just 78 seconds in as Brendan Gillis notched his fourth of the campaign.
It stayed 1-0 Thunder Bay until the back half of the middle stanza when blueliner Auger upped the home side’s cushion as he too picked up his fourth marker of the year.
The Lakers finally solved Aiken with just over seven minutes to go in regulation as Isaac Baron picked up his second of the season on assists from Ethan Knutsen and Cole Allan.
Fort Frances would pull Gnidziejko late in an effort to try and force overtime, however no more goals were scored before time expired.
With his goal, Auger now has points in all nine games the 8-0-1 North Stars have played this season.
Photo credit: Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com