Lakers still winless to start season

The Fort Frances Lakers still are looking for their first win of the 2012/13 SIJHL season following a pair of weekend losses to the Minnesota Wilderness.
In the first regular-season meeting between the two squads since their seven-game battle for the Bill Salonen Cup this past spring, the Wilderness once again got the upper hand with a 5-2 victory at the Ice For Kids Arena here Friday night.

Leading the way for the defending SIJHL champs was returning forward Jeremy Johnson, who notched a goal and two assists.
Michael MacKinnon and Joseph Drapluk also scored and picked up assists while Jake Larson and Jordan Shockley also beat Lakers’ goalie Tanner Hamilton.
Colton Spicer and Hunter Leishman replied for the home side.
Then on Saturday in Cloquet, the Wilderness dominated both ends of the rink en route to a 4-0 shutout of the Lakers as JoJo Jeanetta turned aside all 22 shots that came his way.
Offensively, the Wilderness fired 48 shots at Lakers’ goalie Dustin Stevens, with Johnson, MacKinnon, Drapluk, and Tyler Gorniak all tallying.
As a result of the weekend’s setbacks, the Lakers (0-3-0-0) find themselves in a tie for sixth place with the Sioux Lookout Flyers with zero points.
The Wilderness, meanwhile, moved to the top of the SIJHL standings last night after an 8-0 drubbing of the Duluth Clydesdales, giving them a 5-1-0-0 record to start the season.
Next up for the Lakers will be their first three-game road trip of the season.
They’ll take on the Thunder Bay North Stars this Friday and Saturday before going up against the Clydesdales on Sunday.
The Lakers then will host the Clydesdales on Friday, Oct. 14 at the Ice For Kids Arena.