Lucas Punkari
A slow start proved to the be the Fort Frances Lakers undoing last night in Dryden, as they dropped a 4-1 decision to the host Ice Dogs in Game 3 of their SIJHL semi-final series and saw their series lead drop to two games to one.
The first period was one that the Lakers will want to put in the rearview mirror about heading into Game 4 tonight, as they were outshot by a 13-4 margin and gave up three goals to fall behind early.
“We were not ready to play,” Lakers head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan said.
“We didn’t have the same intensity as we had in the first two games against Dryden, and as a result, they jumped on us.
“It is a game that we need to forget about and we have to move on to Game 4,” he added.
Dryden forward Rory Court was an unstoppable force for the Ice Dogs last night, as he scored two of his team’s goals in the first period and also assisted on markers from Cole Sonstebo and Paul Thompson.
Alex Bruess had the lone goal for the Lakers in the loss.
Both teams are back in action at the Dryden Memorial Arena tonight at 7:30 p.m., with Game 5 in the best-of-seven series slated for the Ice for Kids Arena here on Thursday night at 7:30.
The other semi-final series between the Minnesota Wilderness and the Minnesota Iron Rangers resumes tonight in Hoyt Lakes, with the Wilderness currently leading the series 2-0.
