SIJHL Media Update

Release date: Saturday, April 7, 2012

Wilderness force sixth game in SIJHL final

SPOONER, Wis. – A Shane Topf tally three minutes into the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Wisconsin Wilderness staved off elimination with a 3-1 victory over the visiting Fort Frances Lakers in game 5 of the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s Bill Salonen Cup championship final played at the Northwest Sports Complex in Spooner, Wis.

With the triumph the Wilderness now trail the best-of-seven series 3-2 heading to game 6 Monday at Ice for Kids Arena in Fort Frances. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Wilderness captain Andrew Anderson opened the scoring 4:17 into the contest as Patrick Hurley hit him with a long pass, which allowed Anderson to streak down the left wing where he made no mistake wiring a shot into the top right hand corner as he buried eighth goal of the postseason.

Following a scoreless middle session, Wisconsin extended their cushion in the third as Topf beat Fort Frances netminder Tyler Ampe at 3:08.

Connor Hady dashed Tanner Milliron’s shutout bid with 9:25 remaining in regulation during a power play opportunity as his point shot found its way through a crowd and into the net.

The Lakers pulled Ampe in the final minute in an effort for score the equalizer, but Clark Anderson iced it with an empty netter with a second to go to round out the scoring.

Shots on goal in the contest were 42-35 in Wisconsin’s favour.

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 3-2

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: Wisconsin 3 Fort Frances 1
Game 6: Monday, April 9 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 11 @ Wisconsin 7 p.m.

*-if necessary