Both Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) semi-finals begin this week in Oliver Paipoonge and Red Lake.
The Miners will hold home ice advantage in their best-of-seven series against the Dryden GM Ice Dogs, who swept the Fort Frances Lakers in the quarterfinals.
The other semi features the Thunder Bay North Stars, who got by the Wisconsin Lumberjacks with three wins, matching up with the Kam River Fighting Walleye.
The North Stars outscored the Lumberjacks 18-5 in the opening round sweep, and have won their last seven playoff games dating back to 2019.
Four players are in their final year of junior hockey, so a series win would mean delaying the goodbye.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve treated this year any different, but it’s definitely in the back of your mind for sure. The season is coming to an end soon so all you can do is give it your all,” said North Stars netminder Jordan Smith.
North Stars defenceman Brad Fortier has the unique distinction of playing for both organizations. He had two points in twelve games with Kam River and concluded the regular season with three goals and 12 points in 21 games with Thunder Bay.
“I was originally supposed to go to (the Lakers) but they traded me to the North Stars,” recalled Fortier. “Two different atmospheres for sure. Over there it’s a little more high strung and they’re newer, so they’re younger. (With the) North Stars there’s more experience, older guys that have been through more, couple of championships there to.”
With Thursday’s series opener it will give the North Stars six days off between the games while the Walleye last played on Saturday March 26th, twelve days ago.
Fighting Walleye forward Christian Veneruzzo will make his playoff debut in Game Three after being handed a two game suspension on March 28th.
“Their top line is very good, (Hunter) Foreshew can put the puck in the net along with Lou (Vesperini),” Veneruzzo noted. “Their defence has a couple of big guys that like to hit, be rough and physical with opposing forwards. Our team can do that too, but our plan is more about getting the puck in deep and going to work. It’ll be cool to play them, especially once the fans are into the game.”
Kam River took the season series with six wins in eight match-ups, outscoring Thunder Bay 32-25.
“They’re a good team and we know that,” said Fighting Walleye goaltender Austin Madge. “I think we have more skill, we’re better coached, we have more drive and we want it more and (for those reasons) that’s why we’re going to end up taking the series.”
Head to Head
- Fighting Walleye with four wins at the Norwest Arena, one victory in Spooner, Wisconsin
- North Stars won two of three match-ups at the Fort William Gardens
- Between the Pipes: Jordan Smith (1-5) shutout, stopped 248 of 267 faced; Austin Madge (5-0) turned aside 155 of 169 shots
- Both teams scored nine times on the powerplay (North Stars 37 opportunities, Fighting Walleye 38 chances)
- Game-winning goals: Ethan Lang, Kyle Lamoureux, Jeremy Dunmore (2), Noah Broughton (2)
The Schedule
Thursday April 7 – North Stars @ Fighting Walleye, Ice Dogs @ Miners
Friday April 8 – North Stars @ Fighting Walleye
Sunday April 10 – Fighting Walleye @ North Stars, Ice Dogs @ Miners
Monday April 11 – Fighting Walleye @ North Stars
Tuesday April 12 – Miners @ Ice Dogs
Wednesday April 13 – Miners @ Ice Dogs, North Stars @ Fighting Walleye
Thursday April 14 – Fighting Walleye @ North Stars
Saturday April 16 – North Stars @ Fighting Walleye, Ice Dogs @ Miners
Sunday April 17 – Miners @ Ice Dogs
Tuesday April 19 – Ice Dogs @ Miners
