THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Nicholas Nigro’s goal with two and a half minutes remaining proved to be the game-winner as the Thunder Bay North Stars edged the visiting Fort Frances Lakers 3-2 in a Superior International Junior Hockey League contest played Wednesday evening at the Fort William Gardens.
Thunder Bay jumped out to a 2-0 lead after minutes on markers by Cashen Tighe at 5:27 followed by a Ryan Walsh power play blast at 14:04.
Fort Frances got on the board early in the middle stanza as Miles Nolan notched a man advantage marker 37 seconds into frame redirecting a Max Kaercher shot from the point.
The Lakers then levelled the proceedings before the second was complete as Luke Galatiuk supplied his first of the season at 15:10.
It stayed at 2-2 until late in regulation when Nigro took a pass from the corner before spinning and firing his eighth tally of the season over a sprawled Devin Tappenden in the Fort Frances net.
Eric Mann made 29 saves to record the win as the North Stars improved to 9-5 on the campaign.
Tappenden faced 32 shots in a losing cause as Fort Frances fell to 10-5-0-1.
Action resumes Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. as the Lakers host the 6-4-0-1 Minnesota Iron Rangers at IFK Arena.