Stars finish off Flyers

Kyle Breukelman and Dan Usiski scored third-period goals on Saturday to erase a 3-1 deficit and Riley Marsh completed the comeback seven minutes into overtime as the Thunder Bay North Stars advanced to the Superior International Junior Hockey League semifinals.

Marsh’s goal, which came with the Stars shorthanded, earned the seven-time finalists a 4-3 win over the Sioux Lookout Flyers and a 4-1 series triumph.

Jacob Nolan spotted the Flyers and early 1-0 lead in the first, but Daniel Franks tied the match at 7:10 of the second, beating Sioux Lookout goalie Jesse Wilkins, who made 45 stops on the night.

Chasen Dobranski and Darnell Ferland put the Flyers up by two midway through the third, but Sioux Lookout couldn’t hang on and were eliminated from playoff contention.

The league has yet to set the semifinal match-ups. Wisconsin, which won a 1-2 mini series against Fort Frances, has the right to choose its second-round opponent.

Dryden won the other opening-round series, sweeping Duluth 4-0.