Stars notch first preseason win

The Thunder Bay North Stars withstood a third-period charge Sunday by the Portage Terriers to earn their first preseason win of 2011-12.

Cary Brown scored what proved to be the winner at 4:11 of the final frame of the 4-3 decision.

The goal gave the Stars a 4-1 lead at the time, but the Terriers still had some fight left. Dylan Butler cut the lead to two with an unassisted tally at 9:55 of the third, then Shaq Merasty made it a one-goal contest at 14:33.

Travis Tilley, Quinn Rempel and Brett Biasol had staked the North Stars to a 3-0 lead in the first.

Mikell Bilodeau made 34 saves to earn the win, with Justis Hudak taking the loss, only able to stop 13 of the 17 shots Thunder Bay fired his way.

In other Superior International Junior Hockey League exhibition play on Sunday, the Fort Frances Lakers took out the defending champion Wisconsin Wilderness 6-4.

The Lakers got goals from six different players in the victor. Henry Gutierrez notched the winner at 6:14 of the third, with Byron Katapaytuk adding an insurance marker with three minutes to go in regulation.

Zach Blaisdell had a goal and two assists for the Wilderness.