Staff
The English River Miners were akin to the free space on the Fort Frances Lakers’ Bingo card the past two seasons.
But Tuesday night, the Miners reached into the ball bin and pulled one out under the ‘N’—as in “no longer.”
English River unleashed 20 shots in a three-goal second period en route to a 6-3 victory at the Cochenour Arena.
The third-place Miners (5-2) now have three wins in three tries against the defending three-time defending champion Lakers (1-6-0-1) after coming into this season having lost 24-straight games to Fort Frances.
It also marked the Lakers’ third-straight loss to remain in fifth place—two points back of the expansion Thief River Falls Norskies (2-3-0-1) and one ahead of the cellar-dwelling Minnesota Iron Rangers (1-5).
Sidney Gladue, who had a hat trick in the Miners’ 6-1 triumph here Saturday night to open the home-and-home series, scored the lone goal of the first period just 36 seconds in.
Julian Uhryniuk netted his first of the season at 6:38 of the second to even the score.
Ryder Prue, who led the Miners with four points, notched his first of three goals at 11:42 before a half-minute outburst really put the Lakers in a bind.
Dante Tisi scored at 14:24 to end the night for starting Lakers’ goalie Brandon Bodnar.
Ryan Wagner came off the bench and was beaten by Prue just 30 seconds later.
Jack Bernie cut the lead to 4-2 at 18:19 but Colton Johnson restored the Miners’ three-goal cushion at 4:07 of the third.
Jared Virtanen sliced into the deficit at 14:42, with Connor Keith collecting his first point as a Laker on the play.
But Prue added an empty-netter with 17 seconds left to seal the victory.
Spencer Eschyschyn stymied the Lakers for the second-straight game—recording 28 saves after turning aside 32 shots here Saturday.
Another home-and-home series awaits the Lakers beginning tomorrow when Minnesota arrives for a 7:30 p.m. showdown.
The rematch goes on Saturday in Hoyt Lakes.
The Lakers’ lone win so far this season came against the Iron Rangers—a 4-2 victory there Oct. 8.
In related news, the SIJHL announced yesterday the launch of its official mobile app in conjunction with Hockey Tech.
The app features real-time scoring data direct from each arena during games.
It allows fans to follow every regular-season and playoff game in real time, with complete box scores, game summaries, and up-to-the-minute player statistics.
As well, the app features past scores and upcoming games, along with the SIJHL standings and complete player and goaltender stats.
It can be downloaded free through Google Play and Android.