DULUTH, Minn. – Sports – The Thunder Bay North Stars left the SIJHL Showcase in Duluth with an 0-2 record. In the Superior International Junior Hockey League Showcase Fort Frances Lakers, Minnesota Iron Rangers and Minnesota Wilderness all skated to victories. The Thunder Bay North Stars left Duluth heading back to Thunder Bay with two loses, after falling to the Minnesota Wilderness in a 5-2 loss and a drubbing at the hands of the Fort Frances Lakers.
SIJHL Showcase Game Recaps
MINNESOTA WILDERNESS 5 THUNDER BAY NORTH STARS 2 – Continuing to show why they are the No. 2 ranked club in the entire 128-team Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Wilderness reeled off their 17th straight win as they handled the North Stars in a penalty-filled game. The second period was the busiest for the referees and the penalty box was Forty-second and Broadway with players serving in the ‘sin bin’ for fighting majors. There were 13 game misconducts issued for fighting.
Mike Dietrich paced the league-leading Wilderness by scoring twice and assisting on another helping his side improve to 29-3 overall. Nick McCormack also chipped in with a goal and two helpers.
Jeremy Johnson and Conrad Sampair notched the other tallies in the victory.
Scoring for Thunder Bay were Mathias Gardiman and Matt Kaarela.
JoJo Jeanetta was the winning goaltender stopping 20 of 22 attempts he faced. Gordie Defiel handled all five attempts he faced in relief.
Jayme Brattengeier was saddled with the loss for the North Stars allowing three against on 16 shots.
Joseph Lynch saw two get by him on 15 pucks he faced in just over 20 minutes of action.
FORT FRANCES LAKERS 10 DULUTH CLYDESDALES 3 – The Lakers blew open a 3-3 game by scoring seven unanswered en route to the romp over the Clydesdales.
Jordan Christianson had a big game for Fort Frances scoring once and dishing out four assists while Patrick Sofer notched a hat-trick and set-up another tally.
Colton Spicer with a pair, John Dora, Merritt Rysavy, Kevin Kurm and Miles Nolan also found the back of the net for the Lakers.
Austin Snedden, Bryce Gustafson and Luke Dmytro countered for Duluth.
Tanner Hamilton made 29 saves and also picked up an assist in picking up the win in net.
Ryan Wickiser faced 23 shots and suffered the loss allowing seven goals in 33 minutes of work.
Walker Enstad turned aside 16 of 19 in relief.
MINNESOTA IRON RANGERS 6 DRYDEN ICE DOGS 3 – The Iron Rangers stormed out to a 6-0 lead and then held off a late third period rally by the Ice Dogs to win the game.
Minnesota took a 2-0 lead after one period on markers by Trevor Hoth and Riley Daly.
The Iron Rangers then struck four more times in the middle session to take control on two markers by Kyle Fink and solo efforts from Sawyet Jacobson and Max Seiter.
Dryden made a game of it striking three times past the midway point of the third getting goals from Tyson Holder, Paul Thompson and Chris Sitko.
Joey Rebedew started and picked up the win making 14 stops on 15 shots with Patrick Anderson allowing a pair on nine attempts in relief.
Ice Dogs starter Robert Kopytek gave up four tallies on 14 shots and suffered the setback in net. Eric Szymczyk faced 23 pucks in relief giving up the two goals against.
