Lucas Punkari
The Fort Frances Lakers opened their SIJHL exhibition schedule on a winning note last night in Sioux Lookout, doubling the host Flyers 8-4.
Trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Lakers’ offence exploded for five goals in the second before adding three more in the third to secure the victory.
Henry Gutierrez kick-started the goal barrage with back-to-back tallies in the second, with Jaret Leclair and Marty McFadden both having three-point nights.
Leclair netted a goal and two assists while McFadden’s three assists helped him garner the game’s first star.
Also scoring for the Lakers were Spencer Korum, Byron Katapaytuk, Wayne Folster, Diego Breckenridge, and Davis Smith.
First-year goalie Tanner Hamilton earned the win between the pipes, turning aside 39 of the 43 shots he faced.
As for the Flyers, who fell to 2-1 in exhibition play, Chris Hoffman led the charge with two goals and an assist.
Brett Wur and Anthony Wolfe also chipped in three points apiece.
Both teams will go at it again tonight at the Ice For Kids Arena here, with the opening face-off set for 7:30 p.m.
Following a “Meet the Lakers” golf tournament tomorrow at Kitchen Creek, the local squad then will start a two-day, home-and-home exhibition series with the defending SIJHL champion Wisconsin Wilderness.
The first game goes here Sunday at 2 p.m., with the second set for Monday night in Spooner.
The Lakers will open their
regular-season schedule next Friday as they will welcome the Thunder Bay North Stars for a 7:30 p.m. tilt.
In related news, Lakers’ forwards Ryan Wildman and Jordan Larson were selected to try out for Team Canada West for this year’s World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, slated for Nov. 7-13 in Langley, B.C.
Both players will be at a camp in Canmore, Alta. from Saturday until Thursday, where they will be fighting for a spot with as many as 60 other players from the SIJHL, MJHL, SJHL, AJHL, and BCHL.
The Lakers were represented in last year’s tournament by goalie Jameson Shortreed of Emo.