Lakers advance to semi-finals

Jamie Mountain

Adam Withers scored 8:02 into overtime to lift the Fort Frances Lakers to 2-1 win over the English River Miners in Game 4 of their best-of-five quarter-final playoff series last night at the Ice for Kids Arena.
With the victory, the Lakers won the series 3-1 and now advance to face the first-place Dryden GM Ice Dogs in the best-of-seven semi-finals that kick off on Friday night in Dryden at 7:30 p.m.
After a scoreless first period, the Miners opened the scoring 3:22 into the second on a Jacob Siebenga effort.
Fort Frances drew level 91 seconds into the third when defenceman Jack Dunnell tapped in a beautiful pass from Withers.
Muskie boys’ and affiliate player Eric Pitkanen earned his first career SIJHL playoff assist and point on the marker.
It remained tied from there throughout the rest of regulation.
Withers’ tally in the extra frame then gave the Lakers their second-straight OT win over English River as well as sealed the series win.
Ismael Ralsten turned aside 42 shots to pick up the win while Michael Lenko stopped 45 in taking the loss.
Both the Lakers and Miners went 0-for-2 with the man-advantage.
The remainder of the schedule for the semi-final series against Dryden will be announced over the coming days.