Wilderness continue mastery of Lakers

If the Fort Frances Lakers want to make a charge at first place in the SIJHL standings, they need to start winning when they take on the Wisconsin Wilderness.

That didn't happen Saturday night.

Wisconsin (33-3-1), the defending league champions, got third period goals from Jordan Shockley and an empty netter from Shane Topf, en route to a 2-0 victory, their fifth in sixth meetings between the two clubs in 2011-12.

With six weeks left in the season, and just three games against the Wilderness, the second-place Lakers (26-9-4) will likely need a little help as they continue their season-long game of catch-up.

Fort Frances fell 11 points behind the host Wilderness, with 17 games to go.

Tanner Milliron turned aside 23 shots to earn the shutout, the league-leading fifth of the season for the 20-year-old New Richmond, Wis. native.

In the only other SIJHL contest of the night, at Dryden the host Ice Dogs held off a third period charge by the Sioux Lookout Flyers, scoring four straight in the first and second period to earn a 4-3 victory.

Ian Schachte had a pair for the Ice Dogs, who also got goals from Thomas Greene and Bryce Maggrah. Chris Hoffman netted two for the Flyers, with a single going to Anthony Wolfe.