SIJHL Media Update

Release date: Thursday, April 5, 2012

Lakers rally to move within one win of Bill Salonen Cup

FORT FRANCES, Ont. – An Alex Bruess goal 7:45 into the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Fort Frances Lakers defeated the Wisconsin Wilderness 2-1 Thursday in game 4 of the Superior International Junior Hockey League Bill Salonen Cup championship series played at Ice for Kids Arena.

With the victory the Lakers now lead the best-of-seven final 3-1 and have a chance to capture their first-ever SIJHL crown Saturday in game 5, which goes Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Northwest Sports Complex in Spooner, Wis.

After a scoreless opening period Wisconsin took the lead with the only tally of the middle frame as Jeremy Johnson notched his sixth effort of the postseason at 13:41.

The Wilderness held that lead until early in the third as SIJHL rookie of the year Jordan Larson beat Tanner Milliron two minutes into the final session.

That set the stage for Bruess’ winner with Fort Frances netminder Tyler Ampe doing the rest in securing the victory.

Shots on goal favoured the visitors by a 29-26 margin in the low-scoring affair.

The SIJHL champion advances to the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Jr. A championship, which runs April 17-21 at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay.

SIJHL Bill Salonen Cup
No. 1 Wisconsin Wilderness vs. No. 2 Fort Frances Lakers
Fort Frances leads best-of-seven series 3-1

Schedule
Game 1: Fort Frances 4 Wisconsin 2
Game 2: Wisconsin 6 Fort Frances 5 (OT)
Game 3: Fort Frances 7 Wisconsin 5
Game 4: Fort Frances 2 Wisconsin 1
Game 5: Saturday, April 7 @ Wisconsin 7 p.m.
Game 6*: Monday, April 9 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 11 @ Wisconsin 7 p.m.

*-if necessary