Joey Payeur
The Fort Frances Lakers got caught Star-gazing here Saturday night and it cost them two points.
Daniel Delpaggio’s second goal of the game with 3:11 to go gave the Thunder Bay North Stars a 3-2 victory over the Lakers at the Ice For Kids Arena.
It also was the North Stars’ second win in five days against the Lakers after a 5-2 home win Jan. 14.
Thunder Bay (25-6-1-4), which has won eight of its last nine overall, now is threatening what was thought to be a stranglehold on first place by the Lakers (30-6-0-2).
The Stars have closed to within seven points of Fort Frances, with two games in hand, and meet the Lakers three more times before the end of the regular season.
That bodes well for Thunder Bay, which has a 4-2-0-1 advantage in the season series with Fort Frances—the most wins of any team on the circuit against the Lakers.
Zach Grzelewski tallied at 8:47 of the first to put Thunder Bay in front before Delpaggio doubled the lead at 13:12, with both goals coming via the power play.
But the Lakers rallied before the end of the frame.
Bryce Lipinski netted his 15th of the year at 16:17 before Kevin Kurm notched his 19th during a man advantage at 17:38.
Nathaniel Dupuis made 19 stops to earn the win in goal for the North Stars.
Jordan Cartney had 32 saves for the Lakers but still lost for the first time in nine outings.
His last defeat had been Dec. 5 against the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
The Lakers next head to Spooner, Wis. this week for two games at the annual “SIJHL Showcase,” which is the league’s main opportunity to display its talent in front of college, junior, and pro scouts.
Fort Frances will face the English River Miners (16-17-3) on Wednesday before challenging the Dryden Ice Dogs (17-21-5) the following day.
The Lakers’ next home game is Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. when the North Stars make a return visit here.
