Stars fall to Lakers in OT

The Thunder Bay North Stars were 14 seconds from victory, but couldn’t hang on Friday night.

The Stars, who built a 2-0 lead over the host Fort Frances Lakers, with a first period goal from Quinn Rempel and a second period marker by Travis Tilley, held the Lakers to just five shots in the final stanza. Unfortunately two of those shots found their way past North Stars goalie Mikkel Bilodeau, sending the contest to overtime.

Jordan Larson, who had a goal and two assists on the night, began the comeback at 11:59 of the third. Then, with an extra attacker on and goalie Tyler Ampe on the bench, Connor Hady evened the score at 19:46.

Adam Wensley scored the winner 72 seconds into overtime.

The Stars (0-4-2) travel to Spooner, Wis. on Saturday for a game against the defending champion  Wisconsin Wilderness.

The first place Wilderness (6-1-0), in the only other Superior International Junior Hockey League action on Friday, continued their winning ways, traveling to Duluth to down the Clydesdales 3-1.

Andre Rakas, Zach Blaisdell and Bram Erickson replied for Wisconsin, with Ryan Tront spoiling Tanner Milliron’s shutout bid midway through the final period.

Other action on Saturday includes the debut outing of the expansion Iron Range Ironheads, who travel to Dryden to take on the Ice Dogs. Fort Frances visits Sioux Lookout in the third and final contest of the night.