Lakers have winless weekend

The Fort Frances Lakers concluded their SIJHL exhibition schedule without a win to their name this weekend, after they lost both ends of a home-and-home series to the Minnesota Wilderness.
In what was the first meeting for both teams since their best-of-seven series for the Bill Salonen Cup back in the spring, the defending champion Wilderness came out firing as they took a 5-3 win at the ‘52 Canadians Arena here on Saturday night before easily dispatching the Lakers 6-1 yesterday afternoon in Cloquet, Mn.

Mike MacKinnon scored a pair of goals for the Wilderness in yesterday’s victory, with Jeremy Johnson, Brian Drapluk, Peter Barrell, and Joseph Drapluk also finding the back of the net.
Mason Meyer had the lone goal for the Lakers in the loss.
On Saturday night, the Lakers’ clawed their way back from a 4-1 deficit to get within a goal midway through the third period, but Dylan Hoskins would score an empty-netter in the final minute to assure the win for Minnesota.
Jordan Shockley had a goal and two assists for the Wilderness in the win, while Ben Michaud also had a three-point evening with a trio of assists.
Also finding the back of the net were Johnson, who potted a pair of markers, and Alex Harvey.
Merritt Rysavy led the way for the Lakers’ in the loss with a goal and an assist on Saturday, with Alex Bruess and Joel Bogacki also lighting the lamp.
The Lakers will now be off for a little over a week before they begin their regular season schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 26 in Hoyt Lakes, Mn., where they will go up against the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
The SIJHL regular season will get underway on Friday night.