SPOONER, Wis. – Jack Michels and Joe Collins both tallied twice to help lead the Thief River Falls Norskies to an 8-2 victory over the Wisconsin Lumberjacks Monday night in a Superior International Junior Hockey League encounter at the Spooner Civic Center.
It was Henderson who picked up the lone marker of the first period as he went upstairs on Wisconsin starter Nathan Mueller.
A free-wheeling second stanza saw the two sides erupt for six goals, including four by the Norskies.
After Parker Brakebill tied it early in the session for Wisconsin, off some nice passing, the visitors countered with even strength efforts from Bryce Johnson and Henderson to go up 3-1.
Thief River Falls then converted on a two-man advantage off the stick of Mason McIntosh to increase their cushion.
Still down a man, the Lumberjacks’ Braden LaPorte struck shorthanded moments later only to see the Norskies power play connect once more compliments of Joe Collins.
The guests then put the game away in the third as Michels scored twice, sandwiched around one that was credited to Isaac Baron, off his skate, from a Connor Kalthoff shot from the right point.
Joshua Seeley made 31 saves to record the win.
Mueller started for Wisconsin and suffered the loss allowing five against on 29 attempts in two periods of work while Matt Fitzgerald handled 12 of 15 in relief after playing the final frame.
Photo credit: Karina Schafer