Staff
The first two contests of a four-game homestand went according to plan for the Fort Frances Lakers over the weekend.
Playing in front of their loyal faithful at the Ice For Kids Arena, the Lakers skated to a convincing 9-2 triumph over the expansion Iron Range Ironheads on Friday, then followed that up with a 6-4 win over the Duluth Clydesdales a night later.
In addition to increasing their current winning streak to three games, the Lakers (18-6-2) crept within one point of the defending SIJHL champion Wisconsin Wilderness in the standings.
The Lakers showed no mercy to the Ironheads on Friday, scoring four times in both the first and second periods on their way to the relatively easy win.
Byron Katapaytuk led the way with a goal and four assists while recently-acquired forward Jordan Christianson had his best game for the Lakers with a pair of goals and an assist.
Ryan Wildman chipped in with a goal and two assists while Henry Gutierrez, Merritt Rysavy, Marty McFadden, Jordan Larson, and Brett McMahon also tallied.
On Saturday night against Duluth, the Lakers found themselves trailing 3-2 heading into the third period.
But thanks to goals by Katapaytuk and Adam Wensley in the first 21 seconds of the frame, the home side was able to pull ahead for good.
Katapaytuk was the top scorer for the Lakers for the second-straight game with a goal and two assists, with Gutierrez, Rysavy, and Wensley all having a goal and an assist each.
Also scoring for the Lakers were Christianson and Jaret Leclair.
The Lakers return to action Wednesday night (Nov. 30) at 7:30 p.m. when the Dryden Ice Dogs come to town.
The Wilderness then will invade the Ice For Kids Arena on Friday night (Dec. 2) to close out the homestand.
