North Stars Down Bombers in Overtime

By Gary Moskalyk

Thunder Bay, ON – Clear the track, here comes ‘Shak. Matthew Halushak scored with 21.3 seconds left in overtime as the Thunder Bay North Stars defeated Sioux Lookout 2-1 at Fort William Gardens.

Halushak found a seam in the Bomber end and buried Nikolas Campbell’s perfect feed for his 9th of the year. It was the Stars second overtime win in three nights.

The win closes the gap between the Stars and Bombers to two points in the battle for third place.

Thunder Bay opened the scoring early in first. Dylan Winsor, back from injury, collected his own rebound and got it past Jake Manners for his 10th of the year. RJ Dickie garnered his 9th assist on the play.

Conner Lemieux stopped 20 Bomber shots in the second period as the teams were scoreless in the second frame. A second period scuffle midway between Colby Feist of Thunder Bay and Ty Lone of Sioux Lookout sent both players to the showers. Only four minor penalties were called otherwise–three to Thunder Bay and one to the Bombers.

In the third, Manners shunted aside 16 North Star shots as both goalies put on a clinic. Ty Bahm flubbed his original shot, but found the errant puck, and fired home the game-tying goal at 40 seconds.

The Bombers had the early chances in overtime. Liam Murdoch had Thunder Bay’s best chance until Halushak scored on his. 

Lemieux stopped 44 of 45 shots for his 12th win of the season. Manners turned aside 34.