Staff
The Fort Frances Lakers finally may have turned a corner that didn’t have a locomotive coming from the other direction.
Dylan Kooner made a successful return to the lineup by scoring the game-winning goal in the third period as the Lakers edged the host English River Miners 3-2 in SIJHL action last night.
Fort Frances (4-8-1-2) recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season, and it was their first victory over a team other than the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
The victory also allowed the Lakers to escape the SIJHL basement—sitting two points up on Minnesota (4-9-1) for fifth place.
Kooner missed last Friday’s home win over the Iron Rangers as a precautionary measure after having suffered a concussion previously.
The Lakers’ captain finished off a set-up from Matt Mason and Ian Jarvis at 10:36 of a third period as the Lakers battled back from a 2-1 deficit after 40 minutes.
Tyler Malpass scored a power-play goal earlier in the frame that had tied the score.
Julian Uhryniuk had the Lakers’ other goal, which also came with a man advantage.
Ryan Wagner turned aside 40 shots to earn the win.
Forward Tanner Garnham and defenceman Matt Bruinsma also returned to action last night after missing time with injuries.
Forward Dawson Waddell, meanwhile, made his Lakers’ debut after being acquired late Wednesday from the Steinbach Pistons (MJHL).
The Miners (11-6-1-0), losers of a season-high four-straight games, got goals from Dwayne Auger and Tyrell Bourk.
Michael Lenko made 36 saves in taking the loss.
The Lakers are back home tomorrow to face the expansion Thief River Falls Norskies at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
The Norskies (5-7-0-2) are one point ahead of the Lakers for fourth place and also hold a game in hand.
The Thunder Bay North Stars (12-4-1-0) continue to lead the standings while the Dryden GM Ice Dogs (10-3-1-0) sit in third place.
