Cole Saunders and Landon Clearwater had four points apiece to help the Nipigon Elks roll over the Jr. B Stars 9-2 Friday in Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey League play at Nipigon Arena.
The hometown Elks would jump out to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes courtesy of markers from Johannes Lahtinen and Mitch Kerr.
They would then increase the margin to 4-0 following two periods of play with Steven St. Jean and Clearwater bulging the twine a minute and a half apart early in the session.
After Clearwater increased the lead to five just seconds in the final frame, Joe Szura would dash Thomas Gratz’s shutout bid at 1:49.
From there St. Jean and the Stars’ Chris Bourdons would exchange markers making it 6-2 before Nipigon put it away on tallies by Mark Dawd, Clearwater and Saunders.
Gratz would make 31 saves for the Elks who improved to 8-1 on the year.
Joey Wanzuk faced 53 shots in a losing cause for the Stars who saw their record dip to 6-7.
League action continues Saturday as the Northern Hawks host the Northern Renegades in an 8 p.m. start at the Tournament Centre.
Sunday sees the Stars meeting the Renegades back at the Tournament Centre. Game time in that contest is 3:30 p.m.
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