RED LAKE, Ont. – The Thunder Bay North Stars are a win away from their first SIJHL championship in nine years.
The visiting North Stars erased a 3-2 Red Lake Miners second-period lead, scoring four straight goals en route to a 7-4 Game 4 win that gave them a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Michael Stubbs scored twice and Kyle Auger had a goal and two assists, his second straight three-point night, to lead Thunder Bay to the win.
Keighan Gerrie and Ryan Mignault staked the North Stars to a 2-0 lead, only to have Morgan Venne score twice and Liam Stalwick once to push the Miners in front for the first and only time of the night.
Stubbbs evened the score on the power-play at 12:44 of the second, Bryant putting Thunder Bay ahead for good 91 seconds later, his fourth of the playoffs also coming with the man advantage.
Brendan Gillis put the match away with an empty netter at 19:39 of the third.
Spencer Milne had Red Lake’s other goal.
Brock Aiken made 22 saves to pick up the win, while Zach Willms was good on 34 of the 40 shots he faced.
The North Stars can clinch the title on Saturday night at Fort William Gardens. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.