The Fort Frances Lakers really needed a win in their quest for the Bill Salonen Cup…and they got one.
After falling to the Thunder Bay North Stars at home in each of the first two SIJHL final games, The Lakers’ perseverance and resilience were on display in equal measure on the road in game three.
Fort Frances scored first on the power play. With Judd Pesch finding the back of the net almost nine minutes into the first period.
Thunder Bay scored a power play goal of their own. Easton Glousher tied it up with under 25 seconds left in the first frame.
Glousher scored again on the power play, this time just over 6 minutes into the second period to put the North Stars up by a goal.
The Lakers soon answered back, with Carter Peters burying the equalizer just over 13 minutes into period number two.
The third period started off with Thunder Bay’s Matthew Bertolin once again putting the North Stars out in front by scoring just 35 seconds in to the final frame.
From there, Lakers captain Pierce Gouin came up clutch. He scored the tying goal roughly nine minutes into the third. Gouin then buried what would be the eventual winning goal with just under 4 minutes left in the game.
Brady Cates, who is this season’s Rookie of the Year, Goalie of the Year and League MVP, was once again a major difference maker, as the Lakers were outshot 27 to 19.
The Lakers win 4-3. The North Stars lead the best of seven series two games to one.
A pivotal game 4 takes place on April 21st in Thunder Bay
With this victory, Fort Frances is guaranteed to host game 5 on April 24th.
