THUNDER BAY -- Four straight goals erased an early deficit and propelled the Fort Frances Lakers to their eighth straight win.
The league-leading Lakers downed the Thunder Bay North Stars 5-3 in SIJHL regular season play at the Fort William Gardens on Friday night.
After Nick Minerva gave the Lakers an early lead the North Stars got special teams answers from Avery Siau and Kris Kellaway, who scored on the power play and shorthanded respectively for a 2-1 lead midway through the second frame.
That edge only lasted two minutes before Bowen Alcock knotted things up and Bryson Jasper gave the Lakers a one goal lead heading into the third.
Minerva potted his second of the game for insurance before Lakers forward Lucas Debenedet and North Stars forward Daniel McKitrick traded goals to close the game out.
Fort Frances netminder Nathan Park made 36 saves to pick up the victory while North Stars goalie Nathaniel Dupuis was saddled with the loss.
The Lakers (25-7-1) open their lead over Thunder Bay (19-13-4) at the top of the league table to nine points.
The North Stars will host the Dryden Ice Dogs Saturday night at the Gardens with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
