Patrick Sofer scored the game-winning goal with 4:59 to play Tuesday when the Fort Frances Lakers rallied for a 5-4, come-from-behind victory over the Dryden Ice Dogs in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Ice for Kids Arena.
The win allowed the Lakers to move into sole possession of second place in the SIJHL standings, two points ahead of the Ice Dogs.
Dryden notched the lone goal of the opening period when Len Pelletier scored on the power play 5:43 into the contest.
Each side scored twice in the second period with Tyson Holder and Mike Butler striking for the Ice Dogs, while Fall High School graduate Jordan Christianson and Tyler Broderson found the net for Fort Frances.
After FHS graduate Alex Bruess tied things up 3:48 into the third, Holder’s second goal of the night put the visitors back on top 5 minutes later.
Joel Bogacki then tied the game midway through the final period, setting the stage for Sofer’s game-winner.
Fort Frances goalie Talor Joseph made 30 stops, improving to 3-0 since joining the club and helping the Lakers improve to 26-15-1-2 overall.
Eric Szymczyk faced 37 shots in a losing cause for the Ice Dogs.
The Lakers return to action at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when they host the Minnesota Iron Rangers at Ice For Kids Arena.
Fort Frances has won this weekend’s games against the Duluth Clydesdales by forfeits.
