FORT FRANCES — There was no Christmas hangover for the Kam River Fighting Walleye.
The Superior International Junior Hockey League front-runners returned from an extended holiday break on Wednesday night and rolled over the host Fort Frances Lakers, downing their cellar-dwelling opponent 8-1.
Defenceman Jack Cook led the way offensively, scoring twice to up his season total to nine goals.
Newly acquired Noah Kramps, Riley Borody, Max Leduc, Mackenzie Sedgwick, Josh Pufahl and Jeremy Dunmore also scored for the Fighting Walleye (22-5-1), who hold a 10-point lead over second-place Dryden.
Brady Krentz, who opened the scoring at 8:02 of the first, had the lone goal for the Lakers (5-22-0)
Eric Vanska made 33 stops for the Fighting Walleye, while Brenden Stroble was victimized eight times on 69 shots fired his way.
Kam River is back on home ice on Friday and Saturday night, hosting Dryden for a pair.
Their crosstown rival Thunder Bay North Stars, who this week announced the return of forward Nikolas Campbell and the acquisition of defenceman Sam Skillestad, will be home this weekend too, hosting the Sioux Lookout Bombers on Friday and Saturday night.
