The Fort Frances Lakers hosted the second game of their SIJHL playoff semifinal matchup against the Kam River Fighting Walleye on Saturday of the Easter long weekend. Once again it was a packed crowd of over 600 people at the Memorial Sports Centre in the Ice For Kids Arena cheering on the home team.
The Walleye opened the scoring with Cole Piccinin finding the back of the net just 3 minutes into the game.
7 minutes later, the Lakers answered back with a goal from Gunner Simon.
The Lakers took the lead roughly 13 minutes into the game after Ronnie Bender sent the puck past the goal line.
The Walleye scored to tie things up once again with under three minutes left in the first period, off the stick of Edwin Liang.
Goalies Brady Cates and Sam Keeme made some big saves during a scoreless second period.
Overall the Walleye outshot the Lakers 38-35.
The penalties were even throughout the game. Each team went to the box four times.
It all came down to who wanted it more in the third period.
Tie Schumacher opened the scoring in the final frame by finding the back of the net almost 90 seconds in.
Roughly 30 seconds later, the Walleye tied it up again, thanks to a goal from Nick Carlson to make it 3-3.
Teagan Wrolsten put the Lakers back out front by scoring with 4 and a half minutes left to play in the third.
With approximately 1:20 left in the game, Carter Podubbny scored for the Walleye to tie things up yet again.
It looked like we were headed for another overtime game.
Then, with just seven seconds left in regulation, Lakers Captain Pierce Gouin came up clutch to seal a second straight playoff win for Fort Frances.
The Lakers will now look to keep the momentum going as Games 3 and 4 of the series shift to the Norwest Arena.
