Top-ranked Lakers dump North Stars at home

The Fort Frances Lakers got back on the winning track Friday night at the expense of the visiting Thunder Bay North Stars.

The Lakers, scored the game’s first four goals, including a pair by Lyndon Lipinski, en route to a 4-1 triumph in a battle of the top two teams in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.

Bryce Lipinski netted the opener at 16:04 of the first, the lone goal of the opening stanza.

Lucas Debenedet, the SIJHL’s leading scorer, scored his 38th of the season, adding a goal and two assists to up his point total to 85 in 43 games.

Daniel Delpaggio, the league’s second-highest point-getter, tallied the lone North Stars goal, ending Daniel Tappenden’s shutout bid at 11:53 of the third. Nathanial Dupuis stopped 31 of 35 shots in a losing effort.

The North Stars fell to 28-8-5 while Fort Frances improved to 34-6-3.