Kevin Shier scored twice to help propel the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League to a 4-1 victory over the Superior International Junior Hockey League champion Fort Frances Lakers on Tuesday in the opening game of the 2014 Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Junior A championship at Essroc Arena in Wellington, Ontario.

The best chance for the Lakers to score early came off the stick of Ryan McQueen, whose backhand was stopped by Toronto goalie Evan Buitenhuis.

Shier, the OJHL playoff most valuable player, opened the scoring late in the first period when he batted a shot off the glass out of the air from the side of the crease past Fort Frances goalie Jordan Cartney at 18:32.

In the second period, the Lakers couldn't capitalize on a lengthy two-man advantage as they were unable to generate any quality shots on the Patriots’ net.

A lob on a breakout allowed the OJHL title holders to extend the lead in the second period when Michael Prapavessis gathered in a loose puck, skated in and outwaited a sprawling Cartney before lifting a shot into the open side.

Returning from an upper body injury in the first period, Brent Aiken got Fort Frances on the scoreboard at 18:03 of the second period after shooting the puck from the slot and through the legs of Buitenhuis, via the power play, to make it 2-1 through 40 minutes.

The Toronto Lakeshore took a two-goal lead with 5:45 remaining in the final period when Shier skated into the Fort Frances zone and put the puck past Cartney.

The final Toronto Lakeshore goal game late in the final period when Doug Bonar scored from close range.

Finals shots on goal favored the Patriots, 39-28.

The Lakers return to game action tonight when they take on the host Wellington Dukes at Essroc Arena in the second game of the four-team round robin.