By Fighting Walleye Staff
Oliver Paipoonge, ON – In their final home game of 2023, the Kam River Fighting Walleye wanted to give their loyal and passionate supporters something to cheer about. And throughout the defending Bill Salonen Cup champion’s commanding 6-1 victory over their arch-rivals from down the street, Fish fans had plenty of reasons to get excited.
The game was close after 20 minutes of play. After Braeden Duchesne opened the scoring on the powerplay, with less than 4 minutes to go in the opening frame, the Stars stormed right back 20 seconds later and tied it up, off the stick of Beau Helmeczi. It was the Saskatchewan native’s 7th marker of the season for Thunder Bay, and it would be the only offence the visiting side would produce in the contest.
Kam River scored two more in the second period, by Jeremy Dunmore and Jacob Sargent, to take a 3-1 lead into the final period. Sargent’s tally, off a shot from the blue line that found its way through a screen and into the top corner of the net, was his first goal in a Walleye jersey.
The Fish added 3 more in the third. Carter Nailen found the twine on a nice breakaway shot at the halfway point of the frame. Ryan Doucette followed that up with a powerplay snipe just 45 seconds later, for his 10th goal of the campaign. Then Max Wright scored on a beautiful deke, with 4 minutes remaining, to round out the scoring.
Ashton Sadauskas continued his strong play with a 31 save performance, picking up his league-leading 15th win of the year.
The two teams meet again on Saturday night, this time at Fort William Gardens, to close out the 2023 portion of the schedule.
G and G Excavating 3 Stars
3rd – Beau Helmeczi
2nd – Jacob Sargent
1st – Jett Mintenko