Lakers clinch second place

The Fort Frances Lakers made a huge statement last night heading into the SIJHL playoffs, snapping the Minnesota Wilderness’ 17-game winning streak with a 4-3 shootout victory in Cloquet.
With their ninth-straight win, the Lakers (32-15-1-2) officially clinched the second seed for the playoffs.

Colton Spicer scored the only goal in the shootout while goalie Talor Joseph turned aside all three shots he faced from the Wilderness.
Joseph, who is 9-0 since coming here from the AJHL’s Calgary Mustangs back in January, turned in his strongest performance yet in a Lakers’ uniform as he made 48 saves to earn the win.
Spicer, Jordan Christianson, and Jon Carlson each had a goal and an assist last night while Nick McCormack, Jeremy Johnson, and Dylan Haskins replied for the Wilderness.
On Tuesday night, the Lakers prevailed 5-4 over the visiting Dryden Ice Dogs as defenceman Owen Stauber notched the game-winner with a power-play marker late in the third period.
The Lakers’ top line of Spicer, Christiansen, and Merritt Rysavy were too much for the Ice Dogs to handle, hooking up on four of the team’s five goals.
Spicer netted a pair of goals and helped out on two others, while Christiansen and Rysavy each had a goal and three assists.
Len Pelletier and Chris Belhumeur both had a goal and an assist for the Ice Dogs while Tyson Holder and Rory Court added singles.
The Lakers and Ice Dogs will renew acquaintances yet again this Saturday at the Ice For Kids Arena, with the opening face-off set for 7:30 p.m.
Prior to that, the team will hold its annual awards banquet tomorrow night at the Adventure Inn here.
Cocktails are at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6 p.m. and the award presentations to follow.