THUNDER BAY – Sports – In SIJHL Hockey action from Fort William Gardens, the Thunder Bay North Stars are taking on the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
The fans had barely setting into their seats when the North Stars took the puck and stuffed it behind the Iron Ranger’s goaltender – #8 Mathias Gardiman assisted by #4 Matt Kaarela at 1:16.
The North Stars are off to a good start.
At 3:12 the teams got the penalty box filled as members of both teams were sent off.
The North Stars were called at 7:24 for too many men on the ice, that led seconds later to a blistering slap shot that got behind Lynch starting in net for the North Stars. The Iron Ranger’s goal was scored by #21 Austin Frank. The goal came at 8:29.
With 7:55 left in the period, Matt Kaarella was called for cross-checking giving the Iron Rangers a power-play.
Lynch was tested early in the power-play with a shot from the slot, but he proved up to the task.
The Iron Rangers have peppered Lynch with shots through the penalty.
That has led to a little frustration on the part of the Iron Rangers, #18 Jay Routheau was charged with a double minor for spearing.
For the first minute of the penalty, the Iron Rangers have defended quite well, with the North Stars maintaining excellent puck control. The Stars have managed several good scoring chances, but have been held off the board.
At 17:46 Trevor Hynnes was called for slashing giving the Iron Rangers a power play opportunity.
Shots after one period of action: North Stars 9 – Iron Rangers 7.
Second Period Action
The second period is underway, with the teams at even strength and skating hard. The teams are fairly evenly matched and the play is end to end, Matt Kaarela got a partial break-away but couldn’t get the handle on the puck.
The North Stars were tagged with a penalty putting the Iron Rangers back on the Power Play. #28 Trevor Hynnes was sent to cool off. The call was interference.
The N-Stars are digging themselves a hole. #9 was called for four minutes for high sticking. The extra two minutes was called as blood was drawn on the player he hit.
The North Stars got deeper into penalty trouble as a massive hit on one of the Iron Rangers Players left him crumpled on the ice. The Iron Rangers Captain #17 Trevor Hoth was assisted off the ice with what looks like a shoulder injury. The penalty was called on #11 Cory Lacosse for 5 minutes for cross checking and he was also tossed out of the game.
Preliminary report on the Iron Rangers player is a separated shoulder.
The Iron Rangers took little time to score on the power play making the score 2-1.
The North Star’s scoring leader, Matt Kaarela scored assisted by Trevor Hynnes..
However only a few moments later the Iron Rangers took the lead again on a goal scored by #20 Brandyn Dahlquist at 17:10.
Shots on net after Two Periods of Play: North Stars 18 – Iron Rangers 19.
Third Period Action
The period is underway with the teams going at it hard. The North Stars are back in penalty trouble with #6 Tim Caver in the box for Interference.
The effectiveness of the Iron Rangers power play should be keeping the North Stars focused.
The Iron Rangers scored 45 seconds into the game, on a blistering slap shot from the point by #4 Nick Lesage making the score 4-2.
That makes it three power play goals tonight for the Iron Rangers.
With 13:00 left the North Stars need a goal quick to get this back into reach.
With 10:51 left, the Iron Rangers scored on a shot that dribbled past Lynch. The score is now 5-2.
The goal was scored by #18 Jay Routheau at 9:09. The play is getting a little chippy and at 9:22 Ryan Robinson was sent off for cross checking and #9 of the North Stars Howard was sent off for two minutes. Those penalties were followed with #14 of the Iron Rangers getting the box for two minutes for slashing putting the North Stars on the power play – time of the penalty 10:02.
The North Stars focused on the puck, and were rewarded with a goal bringing the game back into reach. The even strength goal was scored by #17 Wade Garbett .
Kaarela was tagged with 6:53 left in the third for a two minute stay in the sin bin for cross checking,
There is a level of frustration showing, #20 Brandyn Dahlquist of the Iron Rangers was tagged by a North Stars player and retaliated with a slash and ended the power play.
With three minutes left the Iron Rangers are moving into a defensive shell to try to protect the lead.
#9 Riley Daly from the Iron Rangers is off to the sin bin, opening the door for the N-Stars. For almost a minute, the home team held the puck in the visitor’s end, and got off a few shots. With a minute left #7 Mason Prout launched the N-Stars forward but the Iron Rangers held them off the net.
With 23 seconds left, the North Stars have called a time out, and are seeking to re-group.
The N-Stars net is empty. The Iron Rangers as the last second wound down put the ice on the game with an empty net goal.
Final score 5-3 Iron Rangers over the North Stars.
The teams will go at it again Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens.
Tonight’s NNL coverage team includes Quinn Spyrka, Leeza Dickey and Shyanne Smeltzer.