It’s do-or-die time for the Thunder Bay North Stars.
The Stars on Wednesday were pushed into a deciding Game 3 of their opening-round Superior International Junior Hockey League playoff series, falling 3-1 on the road to the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
Kyle Fink and Max Steiter staked the Iron Rangers to a 2-0 lead in the first, before North Stars forward Mathias Gardiman got his side on the board at the 11:33 mark.
Trevor Hoth scored with 36 seconds left in the second period, an early insurance marker for the host Iron Rangers, in a game that was delayed a day by winter weather.
The Stars and Iron Rangers will decide the series winner Wednesday night at Fort William Gardens. The victor will take on the Minnesota Wilderness in the SIJHL semifinal.
Thunder Bay won the series opener 1-0 on Saturday.