RED LAKE, Ont. -- Kyler Belluz doesn't score often.
His last goal, before Friday night's two-goal outburst, came on Jan. 29. But Belluz's latest may have been the most important two goals the Thunder Bay North Stars have scored all season.
Belluz netted the game-winner with 5:15 to go in regulation and added another, his fifth of the season, with 52 seconds to play, helping the Stars overome a 4-2 deficit after 40 minutes to score a 6-4 win over the host Red Lake Miners.
The win opened a two-point lead for the front-running Stars, who top the Superior International Junior Hockey League standings with a 32-15-3 record and a game in hand over the second-place Miners, losers of two straight.
It also helped keep the third-place Thief River Falls Norskies at bay, with three teams separated by just six points and only two first-round byes available.
Cody Bruchkowski had a pair for Thunder Bay to up his league-leading total to 55.
Spencer Milne had a pair of first-period goals for Red Lake, who led 2-1 after 20 minutes. Bryce Krauter made it 3-1 seven minutes into the second, but Nikolas Campbell got one back, his 22nd of the season, four minutes later.
The Miners jumped in front by two again when Ryan Howe beat Seth McKay, who took over from Dylan Kosik after Red Lake's third goal.
Kosik was victimized three times on 16 shots, while McKay, still battling an injury, made 12 saves in 13 attempts.
Adam Morgan had Thunder Bay's other goal, closing the gap to 4-3 a 7:31 of the third. Bruchkowski tied things up at the 14:06 mark.
Zach Willms allowed six goals on 35 shots in goal for Red Lake.
The North Stars and Miners play again on Saturday night. Thunder Bay returns home on Friday to take on last-place Fort Frances, who will host the Dudley Hewitt Cup following the SIJHL playoffs.
