KENORA – The Kam River Fighting Walleye are one step closer to defending their Superior International Junior Hockey League title.
Taking to the road on Saturday night, the Fighting Walleye pulled away from their hosts, the expansion Kenora Islanders in the third period, scoring five unanswered goals to advance to the second round of the playoffs with a 9-3 triumph.
Kaden Goodwin scored twice in the first four minutes of the final frame to break open a one-goal game.
Evan Lachimea and Jett Mintenko also added goals in the third for Kam River, who were tied 2-2 after one and led 4-3 at the second-period break, Carter Nailen scoring the go-ahead goal at the 12:38 mark.
Matteo Salvatore, with his first of the postseason, and Cater Poddubny, with his second, also scored for Kam River.
Grady Priest, with a pair, and Brayden Mackay scored for Kenora, who were swept out of the playoffs in four straight.
The Fighting Walleye will next take on the winner of the first-round series between Dryden and Red Lake.
The Miners lead the series three games to one. Game 5 goes Tuesday night. Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout will tangle in the other second-round series.
