THUNDER BAY -- The Thunder Bay North Stars have survived to see Game 6 -- and they did it on the road.
Matthew Halushak scored a pair of goals, including what proved to be the game winner in the third period on Tuesday night, leading the Stars to a season-saving 3-2 win over the Dryden Ice Dogs.
Halushak opened the scoring at 13:45 of the first, the Stars building a 2-0 lead less than two minutes later when Sam Skillestad added his second of the postseason from the Thunder Bay blue-line.
The two teams played a scoreless second, but the Ice Dogs, needing one win to clinch the best-of-seven series, scored made it a battle in the third.
Kaden Bandura was the first to solve Thunder Bay goaltender Keenan Marks, his third of the postseason coming at the 2:44 mark of the final frame.
Halushak beat Eric Clar less than five minutes later to make it 3-1 for the visitors, but James Hooton found the back of the North Stars net on the power play with 1:40 to go in regulation to close the gap to one.
Tuesday's game was originally scheduled for Monday night, but weather issues forced its cancellation.
Game 6 goes Wednesday night at Fort William Gardens. The Ice Dogs lead the series 3-2.
