Staff
For the first time in team history, the Fort Frances Lakers will be vying for the Bill Salonen Cup.
The Lakers edged the host Dryden Ice Dogs 3-2 in overtime last night to sweep their best-of-seven SIJHL semi-final series.
Jordan Christianson scored the game-winner, beating Ice Dogs’ goalie Kim Wildhaber at the 3:55 mark of the extra frame.
Christianson also assisted on the opening goal by SIJHL player-of-the-year Byron Katapaytuk, who improved his playoff-best scoring total to 12 points in eight games.
Jordan Larson had the other goal for the Lakers in regulation times while goalie Tyler Ampe turned aside 18 shots for the victory.
The Lakers took a stranglehold on the series Tuesday night with a narrow 4-3 triumph in Game 3 in Dryden.
Forward Adam Wensley led the way with a goal and an assist, with Katapaytuk, Jon Carlson, and Jaret Leclair netting the other goals.
The Lakers now are waiting to see who they will face in the best-of-seven final, which are slated to get underway next week at a yet-to-be determined date.
The defending league champion Wisconsin Wilderness lead 3-0 in their best-of-seven semi-final against the Thunder Bay North Stars, and could punch their ticket into the final tonight in Thunder Bay.
Although this marks the first time the Lakers’ franchise has reached the SIJHL final, a Fort Frances-based team has been there before.
The last time a local club made it to the championship series was the former Borderland Thunder in 2005, who were swept by the Fort William North Stars.
The Thunder won the league crown in five games over the now-defunct Thunder Bay Bulldogs in 2003, which came a year after they were swept in the final by the Ice Dogs.
