RED LAKE – The defending Superior International Junior Hockey League champions are a win away from a third straight trip to the championship round.
The Kam River Fighting Walleye took to the road on Wednesday night and rode a 34-save, shutout performance by goaltender Ashton Saudaskas, downing the Red Lake Miners 4-0 to take a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven semifinal series.
Offensively, it was the blue-line that did most of the damage.
Bryden Bell scored a pair of third-period goals to break open a 2-0 contest at the time, and Jacob Sargent added his second of the playoffs just past the midway point of the second period.
Sargent’s brother, Sam, scored the other Kam River goal, opening the scoring at 10:17 of the first.
Noah Davis made 24 saves on 28 shots for Red Lake.
The Walleye can close out the series win on Thursday night in Red Lake. Game time is 8:05 p.m. CDT.
In the other semifinal series, the Sioux Lookout Bombers will look to close out the Thunder Bay North Stars on Thursday night.
The Bombers lead the series 3-1.
