Joey Payeur
It wasn’t the ending planned for the game or the exhibition season.
But the start of the SIJHL regular season for the Fort Frances Lakers promises to be one to remember.
The squad will open the campaign against the Thunder Bay North Stars this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
The following night, the expansion English River Miners from Ear Falls will be here for another 7:30 p.m. match-up.
But it’s the Stars who have Fort Frances’ full attention after the two teams concluded their pre-season schedules with a bitter 3-2 win by the Lakers in Marathon last Thursday night.
The game was held at the neutral site in tribute to former Laker Jaret LeClair and three other members of the Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation who were killed in a multi-vehicle accident there last October.
The spirit of the night was pushed to the backburner in the final minute of the game, however.
After an uncalled slash injured Lakers’ centre Bryce Lipinski with 18 seconds to go, Thunder Bay’s Kris Kellaway was assessed a double minor for spearing with three seconds left.
Emotions then boiled over after the game, with Lakers’ general manager and head coach Wayne Strachan unimpressed with the comments from the Stars towards his players.
“I think what took place at the end of the game really took the special moment away from what we accomplished in the game or how we honoured Jaret with a victory,” said Strachan.
“We were on the power play and [Lipinski] took a bad slash which was for no reason whatsoever,” he noted.
“Then at the end of the game, words were said to some of our players that have no need to be in the game of hockey at anytime,” Strachan stressed.
“Both moments were classless acts and very sad to see that both happened in a game that, first, was exhibition and, second, to honour the passing of four men.”
Strachan needed time to calm down after the game before recognizing what his team achieved.
“It didn’t really hit me as I was heated after what took place until I ran into Jaret’s dad, Byron, who was happy we won and wanted to speak to the team,” recalled Strachan.
“He did a lot to make this game happen and we have to thank him, the community of Pic River First Nation, the town of Marathon, the volunteers, refs, and sponsors for all they did to make this a great event for us to remember.”
A moving pre-game ceremony featured speeches from the P.A. announcer, Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas, and Pic River Chief Arthur Fisher, as well as a ceremonial puck drop by three of the four victims’ mothers.
The Lakers came out fired up and made good on an early power play when Miles Nolan beat Stars’ goalie Eric Mann at 3:08 for a 1-0 lead.
“We discussed again before the game why we were there, and I think the players were ready and prepared to play in honour of not only Jaret but the other three individuals, as well,” said Strachan.
“I think it hit home for the very few that knew the boys,” he added.
“The rest of the team wanted to come out and put a good showing on in front of the many people who attended.”
Fort Frances then took a 2-0 lead on Ben Smaha’s man-advantage marker at 6:14 of the second before former Laker Bryce Maggrah put the Stars on the board with a goal against Lakers’ goalie Jordan Cartney at 12:25.
Lyndon Lipinski notched the game-winner at 2:13 of the third when he took a pass from Patrick Sofer and put a backhander over the glove of Nathanial Dupuis, who took over for Mann halfway through the game in a pre-planned move by Stars’ head coach Jeremy Adduno.
Cary Brown pulled the Stars to within one at 11:09, but Thunder Bay couldn’t solve Cartney (37 saves) the rest of the way.
“Jordan had a solid game,” lauded Strachan. “Obviously, in the first [exhibition] game, he probably would have liked some goals back.
“But tonight, he was big in the net and made the saves a team needs a goalie to make to be successful,” added Strachan.
“The biggest thing I noticed was the team defence was better in front of him, but he was controlling his rebounds much better and not giving those second and third opportunities up.”
The previous night, Fort Frances dropped a 4-3 decision in the back end of a home-and-home series with the Minnesota Iron Rangers down in Hoyt Lakes.
Former Lakers Tyler Tuneburg and Tyler Broderson, along with Trevor Hoth and Jonathon Losurdo, scored for Minnesota, with Alex Reichle making 30 saves for the win.
Lyndon Lipinski, Lucas DeBenedet, and Billy Grillo replied for the Lakers, with Ryan Ferguson making 19 stops between the pipes.
The Lakers’ final scheduled pre-season game this past Saturday at home against Wisconsin was cancelled by request of the Wilderness, who stated they needed extra time to prepare for the regular season.
DeBenedet (upper body) is the only injury concern of the Lakers at the moment. The centre will be re-evaluated tomorrow to determine his availability for the weekend.
In other news, the Lakers released their roster yesterday, with nine returnees among the 24 players listed.
Strachan said team captains and alternates will be named today.
Three Fort Frances residents made the cut in forwards Hunter Leishman and Cameron Gobeil, along with defenceman Brandon Sinclair.
Devlin defenceman/forward Tarran Romyn and Emo forward Dylan Curtis were the other district products to land on the roster.
