The top two teams in the SIJHL this season will settle their differences with the league title at stake.
The first-place Borderland Thunder (72 points) will challenge the second-place Thunder Bay KC Bulldogs (68 points) in the SIJHL championship series, after the Bulldogs pounded the Fort William First Nation Wolves 6-2 last night to win their best-of-seven semifinal 4-1.
League scoring champion Trevor Karasiewicz had a hat trick as part of a four-point night to pace the Bulldogs. Ron Woroniuk, Adam Templeman and Brian Dzijak, who leads all post-season goal scorers with seven, added singles for Thunder Bay, while goalie Bill Gerry turned in an outstanding 42-save performance.
Steve Atkins and Tolton Murphy replied for the Wolves.
The Thunder and the Bulldogs will hook up in Game 1 of the final Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice for Kids Arena, while Game 2 goes here Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
Borderland won the season series 6-5-1, outscoring Thunder Bay 49-42. Holding o to home ice advantage may play a big factor in the Thunder’s success, as they posted a 4-1-1 mark at home against the Bulldogs, but went only 2-4 in Thunder Bay.
The teams have not faced each other since Feb. 1, when the Bulldogs nipped the Thunder 5-4 in Thunder Bay.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
