Joey Payeur
It was mistake-filled, it was ugly, and it was frustrating.
Thankfully for Wayne Strachan, it also was the pre-season.
The head coach and general manager watched his Fort Frances Lakers look far from the three-time defending SIJHL champions they are—falling behind by four goals in the second period before losing 6-5 to the Thunder Bay North Stars on Friday night at the Ice For Kids Arena.
The two teams split their two exhibition games in preparation for the start of the regular season, which for the Lakers opens here this Friday at 7:30 p.m. versus the expansion Thief River Falls Norskies.
“The first period was reflective of how we’ve practised all week,” said Strachan, whose team only trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes but gave up both goals to Tyler Minoletti on defensive miscues.
“There’s frustration from the older guys and they’re not liking the effort level from some of the younger guys,” Strachan noted.
Kris Hamlin also had two goals for visitors, with Brad Arabia and Johnny Parrott adding singles.
Dylan Kooner netted two for the Lakers, including one short-handed, and added an assist.
Linemate Jared Virtanen got a power-play goal and two assists.
Jaden Gustafson and Julian Hryniuk, with 29 seconds left and an extra attacker on the ice, were the other goal scorers.
Lakers’ starting goalie Brandon Bodnar was pulled after Parrot made it 6-2 at 15:38 of the second in favour of Dylan Ossachuk, who blanked the North Stars the rest of the way to keep his team in contention.
Nathaniel Dupuis got the win.
The Lakers still are without forward Jacob Longmore (concussion), defenceman Bryce Patterson (wrist), and goalie Billy Gorn (groin) indefinitely.
On the bright side, forward Jack Bernie is expected back at practice this week.
Defenceman Matt Bruinsma, meanwhile, might be ready for Friday’s season-opener.
