By Brett Richter
Make up games never seem to come at an opportune time, and this late season road trip was no exception. Playing their 10th game since February 20, the Lumberjacks took the long drive to Red Lake, Ontario for a make up against the Miners. The heavy number of recent games and a lingering locker room illness sent a short-handed roster to the ice against the Miners for the 7 pm start.
With 14 skaters and two goal keepers on the roster, the Ironwood Lumberjacks entered the first period with expectations of a tough, but very winnable game. Connor Doyle took the net for the Jacks when the opening puck drop took place. A slow start for the Jacks allowed the host Miners two goals in the opening eight minutes. At the 14-minute mark, Jack Hanna blasted a beautiful shot from the high slot on the power play to put the Lumberjacks on the board. Owen DeBrody and Jack Carruthers were credited with assists on the goal. The first period ended with the Lumberjacks outshooting the Miners 14-9 but behind on the scoreboard, 1-2.
Entering the second period, the Lumberjacks were focused on execution. The travel effect of the long bus trip was shrugged off after the first period and slowly, the Jacks found their legs. At the 11-minute mark of the second, Jack Carruthers buried his 15th goal of the season after a slot run and wrist shot by Christian Storey. In addition to Storey, Hayden Patterson was credited with an assist on the goal. The score was tied 2-2. With a fellow teammate in the penalty box, Christian Storey intercepted a Miner pass and took the puck down the right side, firing a shot into the Miner goal for the Lumberjacks first shorthanded goal of the season. The unassisted goal gave the Lumberjacks a 3-2 lead. The Miners added a late power play goal to end the second period with the score tied at 3.
Both teams entered the third period with high hopes of a 2-point victory, early in the third, a quick wrist shot beat Lumberjack goalie Doyle giving the home team a one goal lead. After the Miners took a two-goal lead, Christian Storey added to his night with his second goal of the game on a quick wrist shot. Storey’s goal was assisted by Patterson and Tim Hanulik. The Jacks were within one and 16 minutes remained on the third period clock. With two minutes left in the game, the Miners added an insurance goal ending the game in a 4-6 loss for the Jacks.
After spending the night of the 9th in Red Lake, the Lumberjacks hit the road Tuesday morning as they travel to Thunder Bay for a second make up game in two nights, this time against the North Stars. The Lumberjacks finish out the week with a two game, Thursday and Friday night series at Fort Frances.