OLIVER PAIPOONGE – The Kam River Fighting Walleye have dug themselves a pretty deep playoff hole.
They'll have to climb out of it on the road.
Ryan Howe scored three times on Friday night, leading the visiting Red Lake Miners to a 6-2 triumph in Game 2 of their Bill Salonen Cup final at the Norwest Arena.
The Miners, seeking their first Superior International Junior Hockey League championship in their third finals appearance, lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 and can wrap up a spot in the 10-team Centennial Cup with wins on home ice in Games 3 and 4.
Howe and R.J. Dickie staked Red Lake to a 2-0 lead in the first before Kerey Reich got the home side on the board with 1:16 to play in the period.
It was all Miners in the second.
Howe, Brady Harroun and Teston Moisey score goals 6:41 apart and Red Lake led 5-1 after 40 minutes.
Kam River's Jeremy Dunmore and Howe traded goals in the third.
Fighting Walleye starter Austin Madge was pulled after Moisey's goal at 12:40 of the second, the SIJHL goaltender of the year giving up five goals on 25 shots. Replacement Eric Vanska allowed one goal on 17 shots. Kiev Kineshanko stopped 24 of 26 shots to earn the win for Red Lake.
Game 3 goes Monday night in Red Lake, with Game 4 scheduled for Tuesday. Game 5, if necessary, would be on Thursday at the Norwest Arena.
