Joey Payeur
Another day, another big lead lost, another late-game victory.
The Fort Frances Lakers continued that trend Tuesday night at Hoyt Lakes in a 7-5 win over the Minnesota Iron Rangers in SIJHL action.
The Lakers led 5-2 after Miles Nolan’s goal at 11:23 of the second.
But Minnesota roared back with three-straight goals, including a shorthanded marker by Matt O’Dea at 13:04 of the third, to tie the game.
But just 1:07 later, Lyndon Lipinski jumped on a loose puck in the Minnesota crease and jammed it underneath Iron Rangers’ goalie Erick Majerle for the game-winner.
Patrick Sofer then added an empty-netter with 47 seconds left to seal the victory for the Lakers (3-1-0-1), who won their second-straight.
The squad also vaulted into first place in the SIJHL by a point over the Ice Dogs (3-2) and the Thunder Bay North Stars (3-0), who have two games in hand.
“We need to have that intensity and hunger to put teams away and we are getting into a bad habit of sitting back,” noted Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan.
“We need to have a live-and-learn attitude and start playing 60-minute games at our capability,” he stressed.
Lucas DeBenedet added to his SIJHL scoring lead with two goals and two assists for the Lakers.
Lipinski also had a pair, with Mason Meyer and Billy Grillo netting the other markers.
Ryan Ferguson made 21 saves to earn the win.
The Lakers host the Iron Rangers in the second half of the home-and-home series tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
In related news, the Lakers acquired a pair of MJHL forwards in separate trades earlier today.
The squad picked up forward Donovan Cousineau from the Portage Terriers while also acquiring Brent Aiken from the Winkler Flyers—both in exchange for player development fees.
“When the chance to bring Donovan home came to light, it was a no-brainer for us,” Strachan said about the 19-year-old Fort Frances product.
“He will add another forward who has experience, strengthen our forward core, and bring a hometown presence to the rink.”
Cousineau had no points in two games with the Terriers this season after scoring seven points in 27 games last year.
Aiken, 18, had not played with Winkler yet this season.
He spent the last two years with his hometown Kenora Thistles Midget ‘AAA’ squad.
“We feel Brent will bring a fierce competitive edge to our team,” said Strachan.
“Brent has the ability to play many roles once he adapts to the junior game and will add more depth for us up front.”
Cousineau skated with the Lakers this morning and Strachan hoped to have him in the lineup tomorrow night.
Aiken was expected to arrive in town in the next few days.
