Staff
In their final home game before Christmas, the Fort Frances Lakers were unable to solve the red-hot Minnesota Wilderness here Tuesday night, falling 4-2 to the two-time defending SIJHL champs.
After trading goals in the first half of the opening frame, Danny Bartkowiak tallied twice later in the period to give the Wilderness a lead they would not relinquish.
Nick McCormack and Brandon Zurick also scored for the visitors, who went on to win their 15th-straight game last night in Cloquet against the Minnesota Iron Rangers, while Dylan Haskins had a pair of assists.
Recently-acquired defenceman John Dora scored twice on point shots to lead the Lakers, who remain tied for third place with the Thunder Bay North Stars.
The Lakers now are preparing to hit the road this weekend for the annual SIJHL “Showcase” event, which takes place Saturday and Sunday in Duluth.
The local squad will battle the North Stars at 5 p.m. on Saturday before rounding out the weekend with a rare 9 a.m. clash Sunday against the host Clydesdales.
