THUNDER BAY – Sports – In Superior International Junior Hockey League action tonight from the Fort William Gardens, the Thunder Bay North Stars are up against the Fort Frances Lakers. The North Stars are 3-1 in action so far this season, and are coming off a road trip lost to the league leading Dryden Ice Dogs.
The teams are getting set to hit the ice with the crowd still getting into their seats. The Fort Frances Lakers have wasted little time getting things moving with a fast goal with 53 seconds of play underway.
The goal was scored by #11 Kevin Kurm and was assisted by Jacob Nolan.
The early goal does not appear to have rattled the North Stars. The North Stars are up with five minutes of play in the first period over, the North Stars are up 4-2 in shots on goal.
The play has been tght checking with neither team willing to give ground to each other. The tight checking led to a skirmish with 9:12 left in the first period, with North Stars #2 Marshall Fox getting tagged for five minutes for fighting, two minutes for instigating and a game misconduct. The Lakers Mason Meyer was hit with a charging – Minor for two minutes.
The North Stars continued the penalty box trips with a penalty called on #17 for two minutes for interference.
With 6:48 left in play the teams came to full strenght as the Lakers were hit for two minutes for holding as Patrick Sofer was caught by the ref. The North Stars will be on the power play for 38 seconds.
A minor for slashing was called on North Stars #16 Alex Vaillant putting the Stars on the defensive again. A strong game in net sofar by the North Stars goaltender Jayme Brattengeier #34 has kept the Stars in the fight.
The first period has been an entertaining but mainly defensive hitting battle. The teams are fairly evenly matched.
The second period is underway the North Stars are on a power play, and have been pushing hard to tie up the game. The Stars got three excellent chances with a few seconds in the penalty, but the Lakers cleared the zone.
The play, so far in the second period is far faster, the opening period seemed to end the jitters.
However at the 15:43 frame of the second, the Lakers scored on a pretty goal. Jacob Nolan Goal, assisted by Mason Meyer and Ethan Brekke have the Lakers up by two.
Moments later the North Stars got into trouble and that led to another Laker The goal was scored by Merritt Rysavy and was assisted by Colton Spicer and Jordan Christianson.
The North Stars finally potted the puck behind the Fort Frances goaltender with 11:21 played in the period. The goal was scored by Dylan Mascarin and assisted by Bradley Cox.
That goal fired up the North Stars who have now pulled within one goal #7 Mason Prout assisted by Michael Fox.
What seemed like a deep whole for the North Stars is being filled by solid hockey.
The Lakers have been working hard too, and with just over four minutes left in the period, that hard work was rewarded by a goal. #8 Merritt Rysavy scored and was assisted by Colton Spicer – the goal was Rysavy’s second of the night.
At the end of the second period, shots on goal for the North Stars 25 for the Fort Frances Lakers 20.
The third period is underway.
The North Stars have come out hitting hard and flying on the ice.
The North Stars have seen that hard work rewarded by a very solid goal scored by #17 Wade Garbett and assisted by #25 and #7 Mason Prout at 1:59 to bring the Stars back within one.
NetNewsledger’s coverage of tonight’s North Stars game is being assisted by volunteers Cody Desmoulin and Quinn Spyrka.
By the half way mark of the period the action is end to end with solid play and the penalties are being left aside.
The North Stars were tagged with an major penalty for checking to the head, and a ten minute misconduct. #21 Bryce Martyn was sent to the sin bin for a hit to the Laker’s player.
The North Stars were then tagged for cross checking at 13:21 and #3 Dylan Loisel was sent to what is looking like a crowded North Stars penalty box.
North Stars #12 Kristopher Kellaway was decked right in front of the bench. There was no penalty, that led to a little ‘western justice’ in front of the North Stars net.
The hit fired up the Stars, and led to a very stylish goal to tie up the game at four apiece. The goal was scored by #19 Mitchel Fox and assisted by #15 Kolton Kahoot. As is usual in hockey, when the ref misses the penalties it fires up the team.
The North Stars are now playing short handed, with #26 in the sin bin for hooking.
With only 2:42 left to play, overtime is looking possible.
With a minute to go, the North Stars will finish playing short-handed, #17 Wade Garbett was called for unsportmanlike conduct.
Regulation ended in a tie and the teams are headed to overtime. there will be a five minute overtime followed by a shoot out if needed. The two teams finished the period with #11 for the Lakers getting a two minute roughing penalty.
Overtime started with the teams playing even at three on three.
The North Stars are on a short power play. The team took full advantage scoring with 3:19 left in OT. The game winning goal was scored by Mathias Gardiman and assisted by Wade Garbett, and Dylan Loisel.
The North Stars are now 4-1 and headed into a great night of action on Saturday night.
Reporting by Quinn Spryka, Nathan Ogden, Cody Desmoulin and James Murray.
