Staff
The Thunder Bay North Stars figured the best way to fix their Fort Frances Lakers’ problem was come out with both barrels blazing.
But they found out by the third period that quality was more important than quantity.
After just scoring once in 20 shots in the first period, the Stars notched two quick goals in the third on just a handful of shots to rally for a 3-2 win over the Lakers on Friday night to split their two-game showdown in Thunder Bay.
With the win, Thunder Bay (30-17-6) moved closer to clinching second place and home-ice advantage for its future playoff semi-final.
The North Stars sit four points up on the third-place English River Miners (29-20-1-3), with both teams having three regular-season games left.
Meanwhile, the loss ensures the Lakers (24-24-2-4) will finish in fifth place and begin the best-of-five first-round “Survivor Series” on the road against whoever finishes in fourth between English River and the Thief River Falls Norskies (28-21-2-3).
Coming off an 8-5 win over the North Stars the previous night, the Lakers–despite almost being doubled in shots–led 2-1 after the first period on a pair of goals by Jack Bernie, including the second one on a power play.
Avery Siau followed with a goal for the hosts.
Following a scoreless second period, Jonathon Masters tied the game at 2:42.
Only 1:40 later, with Ryan Gazich in the box for tripping, Brad Thrower netted the game-winner on a set-up from Ryan Walsh and Nicholas Nigro.
Nathaniel Dupuis made 29 saves to earn the win while Jessie Heisz had 38 stops in defeat.
The two teams will play the rubber match in this rare three-in-a-row series tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
The Lakers then will close out the regular season against the first-place Dryden GM Ice Dogs here this Friday at 7:30 p.m.
