By Tanner Schafer
Fort Frances, ON – Red Lake came out the victor in an intense back and forth matchup to secure 4 points over 2 games against the Fort Frances Lakers, although week isn’t over yet for the Miners.
The Miners would strike first in this game as Colton Crysler would follow up his multi-goal game the night before with a 1st period marker. Jonah DesRosiers and Matthew Macpherson would pick up assists. It was Desrosiers first point with Red Lake and the 3rd SIJHL team that he has scored with after spending time with Thunder Bay earlier this year and Kam River last year. Not to be outdone the Lakers would answer back late in the frame. Kevin Bond scored back-to-back goals with under 5 minutes remaining. One of the tallies was unassisted, the other saw credit given to Dylan Wedward and Trevor Sanderson.
As the game moved into the 2nd period the intensity picked up with 9 minor penalties being called in the 20 minutes span. In terms of scoring the Red Lake Miners scored 2 goals in the first 5 minutes to reclaim their lead at 3-2. Luke Decorby picked up a power play marker for the 2nd goal, and Crysler scored his 2nd of the game giving him 4 in his last 2. Special teams continued to have a huge impact on the period as Red Lake would further extend their lead on a shorthanded goal by Quinton Sidaway unassisted. With just over a minute remaining the Lakers would pull it back within 1 as Ryker Watt scored on the power play assisted by Clark Scaddan. Red Lake held a 4-3 advantage going into the last period.
Even though another 9 minor penalties were called in the 3rd period no teams were able to find the back of the net in the first 19 minutes of play. After both teams had called their timeouts late, Red Lake would break through with an empty net goal by Aiden Corbett that looked to ice it. But 20 seconds later Kevin Bond secured a hat trick with his 2nd unassisted goal of the evening giving the Lakers hope. Unfortunately, 40 seconds was too little time and the Miners held on to win 5-4.
Trent Boryszczuk had a great night between the pipes for the Miners as he stopped 49 of 53 to get the win. Brenden Stroble had 34 saves in a losing effort. The two clubs combined for 58 penalty minutes on 20 infractions.
The 3 stars of the game were, 1st star – Kevin Bond with a hat trick, 2nd star – Matthew Macpherson who had a playmaker, and 3rd star – Brenden Stroble with 34 saves on 38 shots.
Red Lake has 1 more game on the week as they play in Wisconsin on Sunday. The Lakers next play Friday against Dryden.