By Tanner Schafer
Fort Frances, ON – It was close through 2 periods before the Kam River Fighting Walleye exploded for 6 3rd period goals en route to an 8-1 victory over the Fort Frances Lakers. The Fighting Walleye would break through in the middle of the first period as Jack Cook knocked down a pass from Ethan Lang and carried it end to end sneaking a puck past goaltender Brenden Stroble for a 1-0 lead. Stroble stood on his head throughout the period making 17 saves and keeping the game close headed into the 2nd frame.
The Fighting Walleye would jump on a Laker miscue to extend their lead. A Fort Frances cross ice pass in the offensive zone bounced out to the neutral zone where Daxton Lang picked it up and buried the puck on a breakaway to make it 2-0. Around 5 minutes later the Lakers showed signs of life as a Brady Krentz pass bounced off Kevin Bond and Ryker Watt picked it up, shooting and beating SIJHL goaltender of the month for November, Eric Vanska and making the score 2-1. Stroble would record 11 more saves in the period attempting to keep his squad in it.
Unfortunately, the wheels fell off in the 3rd for the home side. Kam River exploded for 6 goals increasing their lead to 7. It was total domination for the Fighting Walleye as they didn’t allow a single shot on goal in the entire period. What looked to be a close game ended as a blowout in favor of the league’s #1 team.
Daxton Lang was the only player to notch multiple goals as he scored again in the 3rd. The other Kam River goals were scored by Ethan Lang, Kennan Reyelts, Ryan Doucette, Max Leduc, and Brydon Bell. Eric Vanska cruised in between the pipes stopping 16 of 17 in a winning effort. Stroble turned in an impressive two periods and had 37 saves on 45 shots picking up the loss. It was a relatively clean game with only 4 minor penalties being assessed 3 to the home team and 1 to the visitors. Daxton Lang picked up 1st star of the game with 2 goals, Jack Cook had a goal and 2 assists for 2nd star, and Brandon Kelly of the Lakers picked up 3rd star of the game, his lone entry on the scoresheet being a minor penalty for tripping.
Attendance at Ice for Kids Arena was 213 where the teams will rematch on Saturday.