FORT FRANCES, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League-leading Thunder Bay North Stars rode the strength of a five-goal third period to help them push past the Fort Frances Lakers 6-4 Friday evening at Ice for Kids Arena.
It was Fort Frances that pressed the pace in the opening 20 minutes, outshooting Thunder Bay 17-8 in the process.
The Lakers were rewarded with the lone tally of the frame as well when Kirk Coppock collected his fourth of the campaign at 14:08.
Moving on to the middle stanza, the North Stars drew level midway through the frame as Keighan Gerrie notched his SIJHL-best 14th during a man advantage opportunity.
Chase Robideau put the home side back on top at 15:22 as Fort Frances carried a 2-1 edge into the second intermission.
It stayed that way until the six-minute mark of third when Alex Maticic leveled the proceedings once more for Thunder Bay.
The Lakers went back on top again just 52 seconds later on a Reece Hopfner effort.
However the visitors then clicked three time in rapid succession to go in front for good with Jonathan Kilby, Michael Vecchio and Robert McCollum all connecting for the North Stars.
Isaac Baron pulled Fort Frances to within one with 3:46 to go, however Maticic wrapped it up for the North Stars with an empty netter at 19:39 to help secure the road victory.
Robert Tyska chipped in with two assists for Thunder Bay.
North Stars netminder Brock Aiken made 42 saves to pick up the win while Jacob Gnidziejko faced 34 attempts in defeat for the Lakers.
Photo credit: Clint Bruyere