By Brett Richter
The season for the Ironwood Lumberjacks is long. With training camp starting in early September and the playoffs scheduled for the following April, everyone knows there will be highs and lows during the season.
With another midweek road trip on the schedule, the Lumberjacks headed to Fort Frances for a Tuesday night game. Recently, a few roster changes, a few injuries, and a recent road victory had the Lumberjacks practicing with some renewed confidence. The Fort Frances Lakers are a good team and knowing the Lakers were fast and strong defensively, the Lumberjacks took the ice determined to bring their new team focus to the rink.
The opening period started with the Lakers pushing the action, but the Lumberjacks held their ground. Following a gritty forechecking effort by #19 Brendan Klotz, he threw the puck into the slot area. The puck bounced off the stick of the Lakers goal tender and found the back of the net. Klotz’s third goal of the season was assisted by #23 Owen Debrody, the newest Lumberjack on the roster. The opening 20 minutes ended with the Lumberjacks up 1-0 over the host Lakers.
Between periods, Coach Lein encouraged the team to continue their strong work ethic by blocking shots, filling the shooting lanes and pushing the pace of the game.
An unfortunate second period penalty put the Lakers on a 4-3 power play. Some quick puck movement by the Lakers finally put a shot behind Lumberjack goalie Connor Doyle. The Lakers added a late second period goal to finish the period 2-1 in favor of the Lakers.
The third period was well played on both sides with a bit of advantage to the Lakers defensive system holding the Lumberjacks to only four shots on goal. After 60 minutes, the Lumberjacks fell to the Lakers 2-1 in a well-played SIJHL event.
Although the game will show as a loss on the score sheet, there were several positive aspects to the Lumberjack’s game. Overall team defense was very good with many shots blocked before getting to the Ironwood netminder. Goal tender Connor Doyle played a strong game stopping 30 of 32 shots. The Lumberjacks only had three game time penalties keeping the game played at even strength. All positives Coach Lein will use moving forward.
Up next is a home weekend series with the Kam River Walleye. Game time is 7 pm both Friday, Nov 14 and Saturday, Nov 15, at the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center.