Lakers snap losing streak

After dropping their first four games of the SIJHL regular season, the Fort Frances Lakers have notched two-straight victories.
Following a 5-4 overtime loss to the Thunder Bay North Stars at the Fort William Gardens on Friday night, the Lakers earned their first win after dumping the North Stars 6-1 on Saturday.

That triumph was followed by a 3-1 win over the host Duluth Clydesdales on Sunday evening, which improved the Lakers’ record to 2-3-0-1 and put them in fifth place overall—just one point behind the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
All three of the Lakers’ goals Sunday came in the second half of the first period, with forward Colton Spicer hitting the twine twice while also assisting on Merritt Rysavy’s power-play marker.
At the other end of the ice, Tanner Hamilton turned aside 29 shots to earn his second win of the weekend, which also helped him earn the SIJHL’s player-of-the-week honour.
Saturday night’s triumph saw the Lakers spread their offence around, with Mason Meyer and Davis Smith each notching a goal and an assist while newly-acquired forward Jacob Nolan chipped in with two helpers.
Rysavy, Kevin Kurm, Jordan Christianson, and Brendan Cawston also scored.
On Friday night, the Lakers held a 4-2 lead after two periods, but allowed the North Stars to tie the game in the third before Mathias Gardiman scored on the power play in overtime to give his team the victory.
Rysavy scored a pair of goals in the loss, with Kurm and Nolan also tallying.
The Lakers now are preparing for a pair of home games, hosting the Clydesdales on Friday before entertaining the North Stars on Saturday.
Both games get underway at 7:30 p.m.