THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay North Stars are rounding into form.
After a slow start that saw them win just one of the Superior International Junior Hockey League team's first four contests, the Stars on Friday night captured their second straight, downing the visiting Red Lake Miners 3-1 at Fort William Gardens.
Edison Weeks, with his parents in the stands, Dylan Winsor and Noah Broughton staked the Stars to a 3-0 lead, buoyed by a strong performance in nets by veteran keeper Conner Lemieux, who stopped 40 of the 41 shots directed his way.
It was a pretty special night, said Weeks, the goal his sixth in seven outings this season, the assist upping his point total to 12, good for third in the seven-team circuit.
“It feels great. (My parents) have been there throughout all my minor hockey and stuff and to have them out in Thunder Bay for a night like tonight? I mean (Red Lake) is second in the league and we’re going to knock them off this weekend,” Weeks said.
“It feels really good. The guys came together today and played a hell of a team game, so I’m really happy with that.”
Getting a second straight win on home ice is also a great sign, said the Wainwright, Alta. native.
“I definitely feel the winning mentality, but more than anything I think guys are having fun right now. The dressing room we have, it’s great. Everybody loves everybody out there. ELE, we preach that here. When guys are having fun and guys love doing it with each other, it goes a long way and we have a better work ethic on the ice too,” Weeks said.
It was Weeks who opened the scoring, beating Jaxson Taupert at 18:15 of the first, his shot bouncing up in the air and behind the Miners surprised goaltender.
Forty-four seconds later the North Stars lead doubled, Dylan Winsor punching it past Taupert and the home side took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Noah Broughton continued the onslaught 1:48 into the second, ripping a quick shot from down low to up the lead to three.
That felt good to Lemieux, knowing he had an even bigger cushion against a Red Lake team looking to avoid a second straight loss after Thursday night’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of the top-ranked Kam River Fighting Walleye.
“It’s obviously a relief. It’s nice to know the team is putting them in the net so you can feel a little more comfort back where I am,” said Lemieux, who boasts a 3-1-0 record this season, with a 2.00 goals against average and a .939 save percentage.
Red Lake finally solved the North Stars netminder at 13:05 of the second, though one could hardly fault Lemieux, his team playing two men down at the time. Aiden Corbett’s fourth of the season came a minute after Red Lake captain Colton Crysler fired a shot off the iron, but Lemieux and the Stars killed off the remaining penalty and two a two-goal lead into the third.
Matthew Halushak had the lone goal of the period, firing the puck the length of the ice into the empty Red Lake net with 1:44 to go in regulation.
The Stars and Miners will tangle again on Saturday night at the Gardens, the puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Kam River 4, Sioux Lookout 3: Max Leduc and Holden Woodcroft scored third period goals and the Fighting Walleye staved off a valiant comeback attempt by the expansion Bombers to pick up a second straight win. Lcas Trimarchi and Nolan Palmer scored goals in the third for Sioux Lookout.
Dryden 3, Wisconsin 2: Landon Stromme scored the overtime winner to lead the Ice Dogs to their fourth win in seven games this season.
FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Thunder Bay, Weeks 6 (Murdoch) 18:15. 2. Thunder Bay, Winsor (Glousher, Paddington) 18:59. Penalties: Bench minor TB (too many men) 11:31, Paddington TB (hooking) 12:19, Lamoureux RLM (tripping) 14:20. Kuzenko TB (interference) 19:29.
SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: 3. Thunder Bay, Broughton (Kuzenko, Caddo) 1:48. 4. Red Lake, Corbett 4 (Lamoureux, Dickie) 13:05 pp. Penalties:: Kuzenko TB (kneeing double minor) 12:28.
THIRD PERIOD
Scoring: 5. Thunder Bay, Halushak (Weeks) 18:16 sh en. Penalties: Ballance RLM (roughing), Caddo TB (roughing, misconduct, served by Meloche) 8:40, Paddington TB (boarding) 18:11.
GAME DATA – SOG – Red Lake 16-10-15-410, Thunder Bay 16-13-10-39; Power plays (goals-chances) – Red Lake (1-5), Thunder Bay (0-1); Goaltenders – Red Lake: Jaxson Taupert, Thunder Bay: Conner Lemieux; A:432.
