THUNDER BAY – Sports – The Thunder Bay North Stars take on the Duluth Clydesdales in exciting Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) action at the Fort William Gardens. The N-Stars are in second place, and looking to get back on the winning track over their Duluth rivals.
“Are you sitting comfortably?” the announcer asks and the puck is about to drop for the first period action.
First Period Action
The North Stars are starting the game short-handed after a pre-game altercation that sent Dylan Mascarin to the box for a minor penalty.
The N-Stars killed off the penalty, as the game got off to a fairly fast start.
The Clydesdales got in the net early with #26 Darrick Howard scoring assisted by #4 Mark Williams and #8 Austin Sneddenat at 5:04 of the period.
The North Stars did not wait long to even the score. Duluth was hit with a penalty as #7 A.J. Merritt was sent to the box for two minutes for Delay of Game . The North Stars goal came at 7:14.
The goal was scored by #17 Wade Garbett assisted by #10 Kyler Ackewance and #11 Cory Lacosse.
Duluth went right back to the penalty box, but almost scored on a break-a-way – the North Stars were a little less intense in the Clydesdale’s zone with their puck handling. The Duluth skaters killed off the penalty.
The North Stars fired up scoring two fast goals to take a 3-1 lead. Alex Vaillant scored the goal, assisted by Kolton Kahoot and Mitchell Fox. 14 seconds later Kolton Kahoot scored assisted by Mitchell Fox.
#14 Dylan Mascarin for the North Stars was called for cross checking, the Clydesdales took advantage with a power play goal to narrow the gap. The goal was scored by Alex Leininger assisted by Tom Monteiro and Jon Ringstad.
Shots on goal are favouring the North Stars who have put the puck on net 11 times to the Clydesdales 6 shots.
The action in the first period has been solid. For those sitting at home, you are missing a good game.
Second Period Action
Duluth got off to a fast start, but at 2:52 #18 Alex Leininger was nabbed for hooking, putting the North Stars on the power play.
The N-Stars controlled the puck in the Duluth end but were unable to get off any shots on goal. As the penalty ended, Newman for the Dales got off a point-blank shot on Eric Ouellett but was stopped cold.
Duluth is headed to the power play after the North Stars were snagged for two minutes as #29 Eric Ouellett was tagged for delay of game. The penalty will be served by #10 Bradley Cox.
Both teams have been fighting for the puck with the North Stars doing a good job of fore-checking.
The North Stars #2 Marshall Fox was sent to the penalty box for two minutes with 9:03 left in the second period. Fox was hit with cross-checking. The Stars had been pressing hard the altercation happened behind the Duluth net.
#8 Newman for the Clydesdales has been playing well tonight, mixing it up in the zone. He got off a great shot on Ouellett but was stopped cold.
Stars killed off the penalty. Returning to even strength, Thunder Bay got off several good scoring opportunities, one just missing the net by inches. Yes, inches…
The North Stars have been pressing – it seems that if the team maintains its composure that hard work will be rewarded with goals.
#19 for the North Stars, Mitchell Fox has been pressing hard all game. that let to frustration from #4 of the Dales. The North Stars are on the powerplay after a minor for holding his hand on the puck.
The North Stars scored with one minute and fourteen seconds left in the period to take a 4-2 lead. The golal scored by #27 Cary Brown was assisted by #2 Marshall Fox and #14 Dylan Mascarin.
After two periods, Thunder Bay has 21 shots on net and Duluth has 19.
Third Period Action
The puck dropped after the break, as the North Stars #19 Mitchell Fox was snagged for cross-checking at 1:41, putting Duluth on the power-play. Newman got off a shot that was deflected high on Ouellett but was handled well by the North Stars goalie.
The North Stars are on the power play at 4:14. Duluth was snagged as #24 Cody Gauthier got the gate. Duluth has done a good job killing the penalty. The North Stars killed the first penalty and as it ended were hit with another penalty. #10 was sent back in the box for two minutes at 6:35 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Duluth took full advantage scoring only a few moments into the powerplay. The goal was scored by #9 Austin Sneedman and assisted by #8 Newman and Howard at 7:03.
Duluth has been awarded a penalty shot. Keven Nault #15 scored on the shot to tie the game at 4 all.
The game is far tighter now with the teams tied up with just over ten minutes left in the period. After a scirmish in front of the Clydedale’s net, #9 Bradley Cox for the North Stars, and #15 Phillips from the Clydesdales were sent to the penalty box. both players were jousting behind the play and sentenced for double minors for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Austin Snedden for Duluth is headed to the sin bin for two minutes to cool off putting the North Stars on the power play. The tripping call was made at 11:01.
The teams have returned to full strength. With 5:03 left in the period, both teams have put fresh legs on the ice, the North Stars are pressing. but Duluth got off a great scoring chance as #19 got in alone on net, Ouellett was stretched right out to make a pad save.
Play is pretty even but has got a little chippy M Fox and #9 Austin Snedden mixed it up in the North Stars end as both players get to cool off for two minutes for roughing.
Playing at four a side, the North Stars went ahead with a pretty goal scored by Bryce Maggrah assisted by Prout. North Stars are leading 5-4.
Thunder Bay put the game on ice with seven seconds left on an empty net goal.
Final Score: Thunder Bay North Stars 6 – Duluth Clydesdales 4
Shots on Goal 31 for Thunder Bay and 36 for Duluth.
Tonight’s NetNewsledger.com coverage team includes Quinn Spyrka, Nathan Ogden, and Dakota Matthews.
