OLIVER PAIPOONGE -- The Wisconsin Lumberjacks aren't playing like a sixth-place team.
After edging the Thunder Bay North Stars on the road earlier in the week, the American squad invaded the Norwest Arena this weekend and skated away with a split, downing the first-place Kam River Fighting Walleye 3-1 on Sunday night.
Connor McClure, with his second of the night, and Zach Carson, who potted his league-leading 21st goal as a blueliner, scored third-period goals to break open a 1-1 hockey game and deliver the win for the Lumberjacks. Josh Pufahl had Kam River's only goal against Wisconsin goaltender Kyler Lowden, who made 26 saves to pick up the win.
The loss ended the Fighting Walleye's nine-game winning streak and was just the eighth regulation loss all season by the Superior International Junior Hockey League front-runners, who dropped to 33-8-1. Wisconsin improved to 14-23-6.
Thunder Bay 4, Fort Frances 3: Dimitri Trahiotis' third-period goal proved to be the game winner as the North Stars won for the fifth time in six outings and took over sole possession of third place in edging the host Lakers. Edison Weeks had a pair for Thunder Bay, the other tally going to Dylan Winsor. Branden Hill, Darnell Kempf and Blake Ferris replied for Fort Frances (7-34-0), losers of three straight. Thunder Bay heads to Dryden for a Family Day matinee on Monday.
