Lakers and North Stars Remain Tied in Bill Salonen Cup Finals

The Fort Frances Lakers kept their season alive and forced a winner-take-all Game Seven in the Bill Salonen Cup Final.
Fort Frances was pushed to the brink after a 4-to-2 loss in Game Five, where the Thunder Bay North Stars took a three-games-to-two series lead. After that loss, Lakers head coach Luke Judson said his team waited too long to play with urgency.

Judson added that even in defeat, the Lakers continued to compete.

Facing elimination in Game Six Saturday night, Fort Frances answered in a big way with a 5-to-2 road win over Thunder Bay.
Captain Pierce Gouin opened the scoring in the first period, then the Lakers broke it open in the second. Daniel Tokariwski scored on the power play, Nick Fagnilli added two goals, and Fort Frances carried a four-nothing lead into the third.
Thunder Bay made a late push with two goals, but Carter Thiessen iced it with an empty-netter.
Rookie goaltender Brady Cates was outstanding once again, making 31 saves and earning first-star honors.
After Game Five, Judson said the Lakers needed to do more in front of their young goalie.

And now, it all comes down to one final game. Judson says it will take a complete team effort.

Game Seven for the SIJHL championship is tomorrow night in Fort Frances. The Lakers are also asking fans to send in photos of their signs, window displays, game-day outfits, and team spirit through Facebook ahead of the title showdown.