Joey Payeur
Now that’s more like it.
The Fort Frances Lakers shook themselves out of the doldrums they’ve been going through to finish the pre-season with a 1-3 record after a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Iron Rangers last night at the Couchiching Arena.
“Obviously that was our strongest game of the four,” said Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan, who left his usual spot behind the bench to watch intently from above on a platform at the far end of the arena.
“I wasn’t overly pleased with our last effort in Steinbach [a 4-1 lost on Friday],” he noted.
“I wanted to send a message [by being off the bench area] that I would be evaluating the players and be watching for them to have more intensity and jump in their game.
“For the most part, the guys answered the bell,” Strachan added.
Andrew Willner and Dylan Robertson each had a goal and an assist for the two-time defending SIJHL champs.
John Cuni and Ryley Bosman also tallied for the Lakers, who held a 39-30 edge in shots on goal.
Tristan Sabina and Gus Karkinen replied for the Iron Rangers.
Bosman, a 19-year-old Calgary native, literally stepped off the plane in Winnipeg and raced to Steinbach on Friday to play in the loss to the Pistons, last season’s runner-up team in the MJHL.
In the second period last night, he connected on a 5-on-3 power-play to make it 3-1 for the Lakers.
“We got the win, that’s what matters,” said Bosman, who split time last season between the Kindersley Clippers (SJHL) and the Creston Valley Thunder of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
“There’s some chemistry to be built but we were able to take it home.”
Brandon Bodnar made 28 saves for the win while solidifying his spot as the No. 2 goalie behind starter Pierce Dushenko.
Kyle Carignan turned aside 35 shots in taking the loss for the Iron Rangers.
Forward Matt Ray made his Lakers’ debut last night after arriving in town earlier in the day.
The 18-year-old from Thunder Bay played nine games with the English River Miners last season, notching a goal and two assists.
Ray then moved to the Thunder Bay Northern Hawks of the Thunder Bay Junior ‘B’ Hockey League, where he posted four goals and four assists in 15 regular-season games.
He added a goal and four assists in eight playoff contests.
The Lakers will open their regular season next Tuesday (Sept. 22) in Ear Falls against the Miners.
They’ll host the Dryden Ice Dogs in their home-opener on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
