Mitch Calvert
The Fort Frances Jr. Sabres seemingly scored at will in a 9-3 pounding of the Sioux Lookout Flyers on Saturday night in front of 298 paying customers at the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena.
Graham Dyck tallied a hat trick to go with an assist while linemate Colin Moberly added two goals and two assists.
Colton Kennedy, Brendan Baumgartner, Kenny Carpenter, and Jon Sinclair netted singles for the Sabres (26-15-3), who needed the victory to maintain a four-point lead on the Schreiber Diesels for third place in the SIJHL standings.
The Diesels swept the Dryden Ice Dogs in a two-game set over the weekend.
Former Sabre Adam Wensley scored for the Flyers, with Jeff and Brad Bienvenue added the other goals. The Flyers fell to 2-41-2 with the loss.
Emotions spilled over in the third period as the teams combined for more than 100 minutes in penalties, likely setting the stage for a physical match-up in the first round of the playoffs next month if things stay where they are.
The SIJHL quarter-finals will feature third-place versus sixth-place, and fourth vs. fifth.
The top two teams have a first-round bye.
“They [the Flyers] work hard, skate, slash, and finish checks, [but] by the third it pays its toll on our guys and frustrates the heck out of us,” Sabres’ head coach Wayne Strachan said.
“Our big guys can only watch our skilled players get slashed and hit so many times without taking some action.
“I think you can only lose so many times by big margins without getting frustrated, [but] they also have a few players on the team that are there only for one reason,” Strachan added.
“But they are an improved team since changing coaches for a second time and definitely cannot be taken lightly [in the playoffs].”
In related news, the Fort William North Stars now have a stranglehold on top spot by a full 10 points after sweeping the second-place Thunder Bay Bearcats this weekend by scores of 9-5 and 5-2.
