FORT FRANCES – The Fort Frances Lakers had the better start, but in hockey it's the finish that often matters most.
The Lakers, playing on home ice, opened their contest on Friday night against the visiting Thunder Bay North Stars with a pair of first-period goals, taking a 2-0 lead through the 9:28 mark.
But it was the last of the offence they'd enjoy on the night.
The North Stars, winners of three straight, rolled off six unanswered goals over the final 50 minutes of play and cruised to a 6-2 triumph.
Dimitri Trahiotis and Hunter Foreshew each tallied twice for the Stars, who got single goals from Dylan Bertrand and Anthony Kuzenko.
Kaleb Bruyere and Dyson Germann had the Lakers goals.
Jordan Smith made 32 saves to pick up the win, while Mason Meyer was tagged with the loss. The two teams will meet up again on Saturday night. The Stars home opener is next Friday against the Thief River Falls Norskies.
In other SIJHL action, Jordan Baranesky had two goals and added a helper as Red Lake downed host Dryden 6-4. Maxime Collette also had two goals and an assist in a losing effort for the Ice Dogs.
