Staff
It’s hockey night tonight.
The Fort Frances Lakers hope the third time’s the charm as they open play at the 2016 Dudley Hewitt Cup against the host Kirkland Lake Gold Miners at 6:30 p.m. (CDT).
The Lakers have not played in 10 days after doubling the Dryden Ice Dogs 4-2 back on April 23 to clinch their third-straight Bill Salonen Cup and once again become the SIJHL rep at the Dudley Hewitt Cup.
Kirkland Lake will be even more well-rested as the Gold Miners last laced up the blades April 22 in losing Game 4 of the NOJHL championship 7-0 to the Soo Thunderbirds.
The defending Dudley Hewitt champion Thunderbirds kicked off the tournament this afternoon against the OJHL champion Trenton Golden Hawks (score unavailable at press time).
The Lakers will face the Soo tomorrow at 1 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s Dudley Hewitt final here, which saw the Thunderbirds eke out a 3-2 win to deny the Fort Frances its first trip to the RBC Cup.
The locals then will wrap up round-robin play Thursday at 1 p.m. against Trenton.
The top squad after the round-robin will advance directly to Saturday’s final.
The second- and third-place teams, meanwhile, will square off in the semi-final Friday.
The winner moves on to the 2016 RBC Cup on May 14-24 in Lloydminster, Alta./Sask.
All games can be viewed at www.fasthockey.com
