FORT FRANCES, Ont. – The Thunder Bay North Stars capped off a successful three-game road trip with a third victory in as many nights after defeating the Fort Frances Lakers 5-3 in Superior International Junior Hockey League play Saturday at Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances did start strong in this one by skating out to an early 2-0 lead on tallies from Kendyn Faragher and Chase Robideau to go up by a pair.
Thunder Bay did cut into the deficit before the first frame was complete when Robert Tyska finished off the work teammates Jacob Anttonen and Jonathan Kilby.
The North Stars were quick out of the gate to begin the middle session to knot the affair as Keighan Gerrie collected his league-leading seventh of the season 21 seconds into the stanza.
Michael Vecchio then gave the visitors their first lead on the evening as his initial SIJHL tally put the guests in front for good.
They then capped off a strong period with 45 seconds left as Ryan Mignault set-up Joel Willan to put Thunder Bay up by a pair.
Fort Frances battled back to pull within one with 3:35 remaining in regulation as Nick Lucas was left with a tap in giving him points in five straight outings dating back to last season.
The Lakers then pulled starter Matt Booth in favour of an extra attacker in an effort to try a force overtime, but Ryan Mignault iced it from long range with an empty netter giving him goals in four straight games as well as points in five in succession.
Brock Aiken picked up the win for the North Stars making 29 stops on the night helping them improve to 4-0-1 on the season while Matt Booth faced 39 shots in defeat for the Lakers who suffered their first loss, slipping to 3-1 overall.
Photo credit: Clint Bruyere