By Tanner Schafer
Spooner, WI – The Kam River Fighting Walleye were able to thwart a late comeback effort from the Wisconsin Lumberjacks and secure a Friday night victory 6-4.
It was a fast start for the Lumberjacks as they capitalized on their first power play of the game 5 minutes in to take a 1-0 lead. Zach Carson scored the goal off of the initial face off with the assist going to Salvatore Poggiali. The Lumberjacks controlled the pace of play in the 1st outshooting the Fighting Walleye 18-11 but couldn’t find the back of the net again. With 5 minutes remaining Kam River would find the equalizer as Anthony Oveido scored his 1st of the night with assists going to Noah Kramps and Kennan Reyelts.
The game would head into the 2nd period tied at 1 when disaster struck for the Lumberjacks. The Fighting Walleye found their groove scoring 4 goals in the 2nd period. Braeden Duchesne scored the first two goals, Mackenzie Sedgewick and Anthony Oveido picked up both the assists on the goals. With just over 11 minutes remaining Kobe Braham would score unassisted and to finish off the big period Kennen Reyelts would score assisted by Kramps and Daxton Lang.
The game would get more physical in the 3rd with multiple penalties assessed and no goals scored in the first 15 minutes. Oviedo would score his 2nd of the night with 4:08 remaining to make it 6-1 in favor of Kam River. From that point on the Lumberjacks would mount a furious comeback effort. Getting goals from Zach Johnson, Ryder McMillen, and Simon Davidson to make it 6-4 with 53 seconds later. Each goal had 1 assist going to Drake Flynn, Cooper McClure, and Dillon Phillips respectively. Wisconsin wouldn’t be able to finish the miracle comeback and Kam River would hold on to win 6-4.
Eric Vanska stopped 39 of 43 shots to secure the win. Kyler Lowden had 29 saves in a losing effort. Anthony Oveido was 1st star with 2 goals and 2 assists on the night. McMillen got 2nd star with 1 goal and Davidson was 3rd star with a single goal. The Lumberjacks are back in action Saturday night at home against Dryden while Kam River’s next contest is Wednesday at home against Fort Frances.