Staff
The Fort William North Stars, led by Devlin’s Jordan Davis, drew first blood at the Dudley-Hewitt Cup yesterday afternoon.
The SIJHL champs nipped the Soo Thunderbirds (Northern Junior Hockey League) in the tournament-opening game by a 2-0 score.
Randal Hanlan notched the eventual game-winning goal on a power play in the second period before Ryan Magill iced the win with a late goal in the third.
Davis drew an assist on the last goal.
The North Stars outshot the Sault Ste. Marie-based squad 41-20, but veteran goalie Ryan Dube was sharp in net.
Patrick Sullivan earned the shutout between the pipes for the Stars.
The host Schreiber Diesels faced the OPJHL champion Kingston Voyageurs last night (the outcome was unavailable by press time).
The North Stars took on the Voyageurs this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. (CST), with the Diesels and Thunderbirds squaring off in the nightcap at 6:30 p.m.
Ryan Faragher, who tended goal for the Fort Frances Jr. Sabres this past season, had been recruited by the North Stars last week but new league rules disallowed the acquisition from taking place.
The top squad after round-robin play advances directly to Saturday night’s final while the second- and third-place teams will meet in the semi-final Friday night.
The winner of the provincial junior ‘A’ championship will represent Ontario at the Royal Bank Cup on May 2-10 in Victoria, B.C.
