Two Superior International Junior Hockey League rivals went into overtime for the seventh and deciding game to determine a winner in their semifinal series.
A goal by Falls High School graduate Jordan Christianson 3:58 into the extra session lifted the Fort Frances Lakers to a 3-2 victory over the Dryden Ice Dogs at Ice for Kids Arena.
The Lakers trailed by two goals late in the final period before defenseman Jon Carlson scored twice to send the game into overtime.
With the 4-3 semifinal series win, Fort Frances will now face the Minnesota Wilderness in the SIJHL finals to play for the Bill Salonen Cup.
Lakers 4, Ice Dogs 1
A goal by Falls High School graduate Mason Meyer 3:53 into the third period proved to be the game-winner Monday when the Fort Frances Lakers defeated the Dryden Ice Dogs, 4-1, in game six of their SIJHL semifinal series at Dryden Memorial Arena.
Talor Joseph turned aside 29 of 30 shots he faced to force game seven, which took place Tuesday evening at Ice for Kids Arena in Fort Frances.
After Kevin Kurm opened the scoring for the Lakers 14 minutes into game six, neither side found the back of the net in the second period.
The Lakers then put the game away in the final period to send the series to the limit.
After Meyer made it 2-0, Christianson added another to put the visitors up three with 13:04 to go.
The Ice Dogs’ Tyson Holder dashed Joseph’s shutout bid with just over five minutes remaining. However, Christianson iced it with an empty netter with a second to go as he picked up his third point of the night.
Eric Szymczyk made 32 stops in a losing cause for the Ice Dogs.
Ice Dogs 4, Lakers 3 OT
Jared Stratford notched the game-winner midway through the first overtime when Dryden rallied in game five Thursday to defeat Fort Frances, 4-3, at Ice for Kids Arena.
Christianson had the lone goal of the opening period at 10:52.
Mike Butler tied the game for the visitors early in the second period when he connected on the power play at 2:52 for the period’s lone goal.
A man-advantage goal by Davis Smith in the third put Fort Frances back on top, only to see Paul Thompson tie it at 8:57.
Patrick Sofer put the home team back in front with 9:55 to go in regulation.
Late in the period, Dryden pulled Szymczyk in favor of an extra attacker and were rewarded with 15 seconds remaining in regulation when Chris Belhumeur notched the equalizer to force overtime.
In the extra period, Stratford jammed in the winner from the top of the crease to complete the comeback with for the Ice Dogs.
Szymczyk finished with 39 saves to pick up the victory, while Joseph faced 35 attempts in a losing cause.
