HOYT LAKES, Minn. – The Thunder Bay North Stars withstood a third period comeback bid by the Minnesota Iron Rangers Friday to eventually hold on for a narrow 3-2 victory Friday in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
The contest was scoreless until the latter stages of the first frame when Ryan Mignault put Thunder Bay on the board at 18:10.
It stayed that way until deep into the middle session when Mignault connected on a North Stars’ power play at 17:01 for his second of the night and 10th overall.
The visitors came right back and tacked on another as Graeme Scott notched his first SIJHL marker to put the visitors up by three after 40 minutes.
Battling back in the third, Minnesota got on the board early in the stanza thanks to Aaron Koivunen who picked up his third of the campaign at 1:58.
The Iron Rangers then pulled to one with two and a half minutes to go in regulation when Christian Ward converted during the man advantage opportunity.
However, Thunder Bay tightened up from there to hold on for the road win.
Keighan Gerrie picked up two assists for the North Stars as he and Mignault both have points in seven straight to start the season.
Brock Aiken made 28 stops to pick up the decision for Thunder Bay while Nick Corneliusen turned in a solid 43-save effort between the pipes for Minnesota in a close setback.
The two sides will square off once again Saturday at 7 p.m. back in Hoyt Lakes.