Joey Payeur
Now ranked second in the country and riding a 15-game winning streak, the Fort Frances Lakers have been the farthest thing from a gong show so far this season.
But that didn’t prevent Lakers’ forward Lucas DeBenedet from being named Friday as the inaugural Gongshow Gear performer-of-the-month for the SIJHL after terrorizing opposing goalies during the last two weeks of September and all of October.
The International Falls product netted 12 goals and 12 assists in 14 games during that span.
He presently leads the league in goals (15) and points (31), and is just one behind Jason Reynolds of the Minnesota Iron Rangers for the most assists (17).
“It’s always nice to get an award for playing good hockey,” said DeBenedet.
“I knew I was going to get off to a good start this season playing alongside guys like Mason [Meyer] and Kevin [Kurm],” he added.
“But even I’m surprised at how good of a start I’ve had.”
DeBenedet has been happiest with his all-around game, and credits his teammates for helping him reach the high level he’s achieved to date.
“I’ve got a lot of good players on this team with me and it’s nice to play with such a well-rounded group,” he remarked.
With the team’s 10-day break from action ending tomorrow night with a game in Thunder Bay against the second-place North Stars, the crafty forward said keeping complacency from creeping into the dressing room becomes increasingly more difficult the longer the winning streak goes.
“I’m a little nervous about it,” he admitted. “The last couple of games have been closer than we’d like.
“But at the same time, the guys are also really excited about being ranked [second] out of 128 teams in the country,” DeBenedet added.
“We’ll be ready to go [tomorrow].”
