The Thunder Bay North Stars’ season has come to an end.
The North Stars fell 3-2 to the Minnesota Iron Rangers in Game 6 of their Superior International Junior Hockey League semifinal series in Hoyt Lakes, Minn. on Sunday, giving the Iron Rangers the 4-2 series victory.
Matt O’Dea scored the game-winner on the power play with 4:06 remaining in regulation to lead Minnesota to victory.
The Iron Rangers outshot the North Stars 37-20 in the game. Iron Rangers goalie Alex Reichele made 18 saves in the winning effort, while North Stars keeper Eric Mann turned aside 34 shots while being saddled with the loss.
Facing elimination, Thunder Bay trailed 1-0 after the first period after giving up a power play goal to Minnesota’s Thomas Fazio. The North Stars were outshot by a 14-5 margin in the frame.
The Iron Rangers doubled the lead just 42 seconds into the second as Jonathon Losurdo beat Mann.
Thunder Bay got one back prior to the end of the period as Kenny Turner solved Reichele.
The North Stars brought the game even in the the third, with Robert MacLean finding the back of the net.
O’Dea broke the deadlock in the final quarter of the period with the home side’s second power play goal of the game. Minnesota was 2-5 with the man advantage, compared to the North Stars’ 0-2 mark.
Minnesota advances to take on the Fort Frances Lakers for the Bill Salonen Cup.
