KENORA – Thirteen wasn’t an unlucky number for the Thunder Bay North Stars.
The Stars erupted for a baker’s dozen worth of goals on Sunday afternoon, downing the Kenora Islanders 13-4 to capture their second straight Superior International Junior Hockey league triumph.
Edison Weeks, the league’s leading scorer, paced the attack with two goals and two assists. E.J. Paddington, Beau Helmeczi and Tyler Jordan also ha a pair of goals apiece in the win, with singles going to Connor Larrett, Christian Rapp, Sam Skillestad, Dimitri Trahiotis and Easton Mikus.
Thunder Bay scored the first eight goals of the contest, including seven in the first period alone.
Brayden Mackay finally ended Keenan Marks’ shutout bid 46 seconds into the second period.
Braden Swampy, with two, and Jayden McPherson-Nepinak also scored for the expansion Islanders (2-37-1), who have lost 10 straight.
The Stars improved to 28-11-5 and climbed to within a point of second-place Sioux Lookout in the standings. They also gave themselves a three-point cushion over fourth-place Dryden.
The North Stars next host the Wisconsin Lumberjacks on Tuesday night at Fort William Gardens. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Kenora’s next action is Friday night at Norwest Arena against the Kam River Fighting Walleye.
