Wilderness knock Stars off in shootout

The Thunder Bay North Stars are getting closer to that elusive first win of the season.

But it’s still just out of reach it seems.

The Stars (0-4-3) took the defending champion Wisconsin Wilderness to a shootout Saturday night, but Christian Belobaba’s goal in the fourth round of penalty shots proved to be Thunder Bay’s undoing.

Brennen Dubchak and Kyle Breukelman, who tied the game with four minutes to go in regulation, were the North Stars goal scorers.

Anthony Calabrese and Zach Blaisdell replied for the first-place Wilderness.

At Sioux Lookout Jaret Leclair and Adam Wensley scored goals in the final four minutes of play, earning the visiting Fort Frances Lakers a 6-5 comeback win over the Flyers.

Marty McFadden had a goal and two assists for the victors, who trailed 3-1 after one and 4-2 entering the third.
At Dryden, Dallas Allaire had a pair of goals and helped the Ice Dogs spoil the Superior International Junior Hockey League debut of the Iron Range Ironheads.

Tom Kuhn and Jesse Linner each scored a goal and an assist on the night. Shamus O’Neill scored the Ironheads first ever goal, at 18:51 of the first.

The North Stars travel to Duluth on Sunday to wrap up their road trip, The Ice Dogs and Ironheads will stage a rematch in Dryden.