THUNDER BAY – Sports – The Thunder Bay North Stars and the Fort Frances Lakers are set to clash in Superior International Junior Hockey League action from Fort William Gardens. It was a feisty game last night. The North Stars have three players who are out tonight, two as a result of injuries, and one with the flu.
Coming off last night’s game, the North Stars are hoping to come out faster tonight. The team fell behind early on Friday night.
Tonight’s contest promises to be a battle, fans could sense that the two teams are forming an early season dislike for each other.
The North Stars are starting Bruce Corrigal in goal tonight.
The game is off to a faster start with the Lakers hitting the penalty box early as #27 Tyler Tuneberg was called for cross-checking at the 1:47 mark putting the North Stars on the power play. The Stars are looking sharp on the power play, but the Lakers have managed to hold off the rushing Stars.
The North Stars hit penalty trouble with #15 getting the hook for elbowing. The Lakers tried to capitalize early and just missed an early chance. The North Stars goalie is looking sharp in the early going, and has managed to hold of the Lakers.
The Lakers got on the board at with a goal scored by #16 Davis Smithafter, assisted by Jacob Nolan and Hunter Leishman. A battle for the puck in front of the North Stars goal lead to the score.
Shots on goal with 6:40 left in the first are 7-8 for the North Stars.
The Lakers are hitting the sin bin rather heavily, #22 Brendan Cawston and #10 Ethan Brekke are in the box putting the North Stars on five on three power play. The North Stars were stymied on the power play and almost scored right at the end of the opportunity.
Penalties remain a problem for the North Stars as #6 Jordan Davidson was hit for tripping and will serve two minutes. The Lakers got a tremendous opportunity to score but were stopped cold by the long extended leg of the North Stars goaltender.
First Period ends with the Lakers ahead 1-0. Shots on goal North Stars 11, Lakers 12.
The second period has been a skating contest with end to end action but at the halfway mark of the period there have only been three shots on net.
The North Stars have been hit with a couple of penalties during the period, at 7:13 Dylan Mascarin was called for tripping and Mason Prout was snagged for holding.
The Lakers had a short two man advantage that the North Stars survived, but with 7:56 left in the period, the Lakers potted another puck into the twine. The goal was scored by Kevin Kurm and assisted by Jacob Nolan.
The North Stars went on the power play with just over six minutes left in the second as #15 Brody Fosty was snagged for charging.
With 3:21 left in the second period, the North Stars are headed to the power play. The Lakers were hit with two minutes for too many men on the ice. The Lakers have been doing a very good job of killing the penalty.
The Stars are doing a good job of controlling the puck, and working hard but have yet to be rewarded on the scoreboard.
#21 Bryce Martyn was called for high sticking with a minute left, putting the Stars on the defensive for the last minute of the period.
Second period ended with the Lakers ahead by a two goal margin 2-0. The shots on goal are 21 for the Lakers and 20 for the North Stars.
The third period started with the North Stars shutting down the Laker’s power play. The hitting is on full force in the early going as the teams are not willing to give up an inch to their opponents.
The Lakers however hit the twine with a slapshot from the point, giving them a 3-0 lead. It is looking a little rough for the North Stars who will have to dig deep to climb out of the hole they have dug.
The North Stars seemed to be a little listless after the third goal. The Lakers pounced on the North Stars to put their fourth goal of the night behind Bruce Corrigal.
#9 Colton Spicer was high sticked and sent to the bench in obvious pain. North Stars penalty was called on #21 Bryce Martyn.
The North Stars finally popped on behind the Lakers with a pretty goal on the breakaway for a short-handed goal. The goal was scored by Matt Kaarela and was unassisted.
That goal has fired up the Stars, and the play has picked up with some hard hitting action. The North Stars headed onto the power play and are demonstrating some solid puck handling and getting three good scoring chances.
The Lakers responded with some hard skating on their own – resulting in a couple of solid chances of their own. They were rewarded with a goal scored by #13 Jordan Christianson assisted by #9 Colton Spicer and #4 Kyle Salmon hitting the twine for a fifth goal.
The North Stars are looking a little frustrated, they have played far better than the scoreboard has shown. That is leading to more penalties. #4 Matt Kaarela was called for and #2 Marshall Fox for was penalized as well.
The Lakers #96 Mason Meyer assisted by #71 Patrick Sofer and #70 put the game further out of reach.
That frustration is starting to show and the Stars are piling up the penalties. Two North Stars players, were send off for a minor scuffle that happened in front of the North Stars goal. Lakers #12 Alex Bruess was tagged for two minutes for roughing and a ten minute misconduct. North Stars #15 Kolton Kahoot was sent to the box for a ten minute misconduct and #21 Bryce Martyn for roughing.
The last few minutes of the game are likely to be a real challenge for tonight’s ref and linesmen.
Across the league, midway through the game the Dryden Ice Dogs are behind 5-2 against the Minnesota Iron Rangers in their rematch. The Minnesota Wilderness are up by a pair of goals over the Duluth Clydesdales.
The next Thunder Bay North Stars game will be Wednesday night at the Fort William Gardens. The Dryden Ice Dogs will be in town.
Tonight’s NetNewsledger.com team includes Nathan Ogden, Quinn Spryka, Cody Desmoulin, and Sam Smith.
