A perfect 4-0 record to begin the season for the Fort Frances Lakers.
Head Coach and General Manager Luke Judson’s squad completed the opening month of the campaign with a 3-2 victory over the Kam River Fighting Walleye on Saturday, September 27th.
“I think we got better as each period went on, we showed our resiliency and that we’re here to contend this year,” said forward Carter Peters following the game. “I just think we’re so together this year. I feel like last year, maybe we weren’t as close. I think this year, all the boys are just buying into the system, and it’s clearly working well.”
Defenceman Wyatt Greer felt it was a gusty effort by the team that night, adding “There are different expectations this year [for this team]. We’re real contenders.”
The Lakers are tied atop the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) standings with the Bombers (8 points) heading into October and have outscored their opponents 17-5
The team features three players from Kenora. Along with Greer and Peters, forward Nickolas Fagnilli was picked up from the Fighting Walleye in an earlier September deal in exchange for a player development fee (PDF).
The Kenora Islanders Junior ‘A’ franchise suspended operations in late January, citing ongoing conflicts with the league’s board of governors.
The team noted that “the decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary to work through league issues to find a buyer for the team.”
Peters feels it’s surprising that there have been issues getting the Islanders off the ground, adding “It’s one of the nicer places you can [play, with a] nice facility rate and all that. I think that a good ownership group will eventually get things going there soon.”
The two-year franchise had just four wins in 99 regular season games before pulling the plug. They were also swept in four games in their lone playoff appearance in the Spring of 2024.
Greer said there are challenges in Kenora, noting “we don’t keep the ice in in the summer, so it’s not really surprising that we can’t keep a junior team.”
Whether kids go west or east to play junior hockey, Greer says “I think the end goal is to play in the Manitoba [Junior Hockey] League. That said, [the Superior International Junior Hockey League] doesn’t get enough credit, and there’s a lot of good players in this league.”
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Friday October 3 vs. Thunder Bay North Stars
Tuesday October 7 @ Kam River Fighting Walleye
Friday October 10 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Saturday October 11 vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Friday October 24 vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers
Saturday October 25 vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers
Friday October 31 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
LINK:
RED LAKE MINERS
Head Coach/General Manager Billy Keane has had a tough start to his time behind the Miners bench. They dropped all four of their contests in September while being outscored 26-6. Reid White leads all Miners skaters with a pair of goals.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Friday October 3 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Saturday October 4 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Tuesday October 7 vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers
Friday October 10 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Saturday October 11 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Friday October 17 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Saturday October 18 @ Thunder Bay North Stars
Friday October 24 @ Kam River Fighting Walleye
Saturday October 25 @ Kam River Fighting Walleye
Wednesday October 29 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Thursday October 30 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
SIOUX LOOKOUT BOMBERS
Four wins in five games to begin the campaign for the Bombers, with their lone defeat coming on September 20th against the Fighting Walleye.
The team is averaging just over seven goals a game during their current four-game winning streak.
Cedric Robidoux was recognized as the Star Forward for Week 2 with goals in all three of the Bombers victories September 26-28. Teammate Ty Love had eight points in the three outings.
Beau Bannerman’s efforts earned him a Star Defenceman honourable mention while Nick Webb nabbed Star Goalie honours by allowing just a single goal on 33 shots against the Red Lake Miners on Sunday, September 28th.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Friday October 3 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Saturday October 4 @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Tuesday October 7 @ Red Lake Miners
Friday October 17 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Saturday October 18 vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks
Tuesday October 21 vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs
Friday October 24 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Saturday October 25 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Friday October 31 vs. Thunder Bay North Stars
DRYDEN GM ICE DOGS
The Ice Dogs split their first four games of the season, which included a 9-6 loss to the Thunder Bay North Stars on September 26th.
To begin the season they have both scored and surrendered 17 goals.
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Friday October 3 vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers
Saturday October 4 vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers
Friday October 10 vs. Fort Frances Lakers
Saturday October 11 @ Fort Frances Lakers
Friday October 17 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Saturday October 18 vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
Tuesday October 21 @ Sioux Lookout Bombers
Friday October 24 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Saturday October 25 @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Friday October 31 vs. Fort Frances Lakers
