Staff
The Fort Frances Lakers are moving on up—and their leading scorer’s efforts in making it happen earned him yet another accolade.
Yesterday’s release of the latest top 20 rankings in the Canadian Junior ‘A’ Hockey League saw the Lakers (33-6-0-2) move up one notch to No. 6 from last week after stringing together three-straight wins.
The team’s success had much to do with the red-hot play of Lucas DeBenedet, who earned Pizza Hut Player-of-the-Week honours for the second time this season after compiling five goals and two assists in the three games.
His highlight performance came against the Dryden Ice Dogs, when he scored four-straight goals to rally the Lakers to a 5-2 victory in their second game at the SIJHL Showcase in Spooner, Wis. last week.
DeBenedet, who also earned the award after the first week of the season, remains in the hunt for the “Triple Crown” as he leads the SIJHL in goals (37), assists (45), and points (82).
The Fort McMurray Oil Barons (Alberta Junior Hockey League) reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the rankings they held earlier this season.
They are followed by the two hottest teams in the country—the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (19-game winning streak) at No. 2 and the third-ranked Selkirk Steelers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (18-game winning streak).
The Carleton Canadians of the Central Canada Hockey League are at No. 4 while the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) dropped out of the top spot they held the last several weeks to sit at No. 5.
The Lakers will look to stay on a roll tonight when they visit Hoyt Lake to take on the Minnesota Iron Rangers (23-10-2-4).
Their next home game is this Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the Thunder Bay North Stars.
