IRONWOOD, Mich. -- The Thunder Bay North Stars turned in an impressive performance to earn their first win of the 2024-25 Superior International Junior Hockey League season on Friday night.
The North Stars (1-2-0-0) fired 67 shots at goaltender Kole Kronstedt as they cruised to a 7-1 triumph over the host Ironwood Lumberjacks (0-2-0-1).
Eric Sheriff led the way on offence for the North Stars with two goals and an assist.
Casey Rutland lit the lamp twice in his SIJHL debut, while Maxwell Buffone, Peter Forester and Tyler Jordan all had a pair of assists.
Alex Remenda and Carter Anton had a goal and an assist each for the visitors, who also got a goal from Beau Helmeczi and a 26-save outing by Ben Laurette.
Julian Calcagninio ruined Laurette's shutout bid by finding the back of the net with 37 seconds to go in the third period.
Kam River 9, Kenora 2: The Fighting Walleye (2-1-0-0) had a five-goal outburst in the second period to ruin the home opener for the Islanders (0-2-1-0). Kaden Goodwin led the way for the visitors with a goal and three assists, while Jett Mintenko, Carter Poddubny and Max Wright had a goal and two assists each. Josh Boyko lit the lamp twice for the hosts
Red Lake 5, Fort Frances 3: Former Fighting Walleye forward Euan Morrison had a goal and three assists in his debut for the Miners (3-0-0-0) as they won their home opener. Bryson Carlyle and Nathan Dann had a goal and an assist each for the hosts. Clark Scaddan paced the Lakers (1-1-1-0) on offence with two assists in the loss.
Dryden 4, Sioux Lookout 2: Emmanuel Nkombou broke a 2-2 tie while on the penalty kill with 4:28 left in the third period and scored an empty-net marker with 38 seconds left to help the Ice Dogs (2-1-0-0) prevail in their home opener. McLaren Paulsen had a goal and an assist each in the triumph, while Matthew Spencer-Dahl stopped 30 shots for the Bombers (2-1-0-0).