THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Jared Pedersen had two goals, including the game-winner, to pace the Superior International Junior Hockey League-leading Thief River Falls Norskies to a 5-2 road win over the Thunder Bay North Stars Friday at the Fort William Gardens.
The first place Norskies picked up the lone tally of the first period, thanks to Pete Grytdahl at 13:10.
They then chased Thunder Bay starter Brandon Bodnar with a pair of tallies in the middle session starting with Mitchell Soderberg while his side was shorthanded at the 21-second mark.
Pedersen’s first of the night followed that as he picked up the eventual difference maker at 14:51.
Down three in the third, the North Stars got on the board thanks to captain Joe Newhouse at 3:19.
Thunder Bay kept coming and pulled to within one a few minutes later on a Dillon Ward effort.
However Thief River Falls regrouped and got some insurance from Brett Piper at 16:41 before Pedersen iced it with another man-down empty net marker for the Norskies with a minute and a half to go to round out the scoring.
Jackson Nelson turned in a solid start for the visitors as he made 38 saves to record the win.
Bodnar suffered the loss allowing the three against on 18 attempts while Dougie Newhouse stopped seven of eight in relief.
The same two teams meet again Saturday back at the Gardens in a 7:30 p.m. start.
Photo credit: Gary Moskalyk