SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, March 17, 2017
Photo credit: Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com
Norskies hold off North Stars for important road win
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Thief River Norskies built up a three-goal then had to fend off a late comeback bid by the Thunder Bay North Stars to pull out an important 4-3 road victory Friday in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at the Fort William Gardens.
Thief River Falls got on the board seven minutes into the contest on a Connor Bowey effort.
The Norskies then went up by two 5:28 into the middle stanza on Keaton Huot’s 22nd of the season.
Peter Grytdahl made it 3-0 later in the period with the visitors carrying that cushion into the final frame.
SIJHL top defensive forward award recipient Brett Wolframe got one back for Thunder Bay at 5:14 of the third as the North Stars captain struck shorthanded.
Jared Pederson got that back for Thief River Falls however three minutes later, via the power play, to make it 4-1.
Charlie Corness collected his first of the season at 13:55 to pull the home side to within two while Jonathon Masters supplied his eighth to make it 4-3 with 3:16 remaining in regulation.
However the Norskies tightened up from there and preserved the win.
Blair Lindholm and Reily McIntosh dished out two assists apiece for Thief River Falls in the decision.
Thief River Falls outshot Thunder Bay 43-27 on the night with Ryan Buttazzoni picking up the win and Jordan Elliot the loss.
Despite the result, the Norskies remain one point behind the third place English River Miners, who also won Friday, in the league standings.
Thief River Falls will need to win in Hoyt Lakes Saturday vs. the Minnesota Iron Rangers and hope English River loses in regulation at Thunder Bay in order to finish third overall as the regular season comes to a close.