SPOONER, Wis. – Jordan Baranesky’s second goal of the game, coming on a power play 2:55 into overtime, was the difference as the Red Lake Miners pulled out a 2-1 triumph over the Wisconsin Lumberjacks Saturday in an extended Superior International Junior Hockey League encounter Spooner Civic Center.
After going to a lengthy 11-round shootout Friday before Wisconsin finally prevailed, this match-up was equally as close.
The Lumberjacks began the scoring just 66 seconds in as Cade Moreland stuffed in his 12th to put the home side in front early.
Neither side would convert the remainder of the frame as well as all of the second stanza as Wisconsin carried their 1-0 cushion into the third period.
There, the Miners drew level off a turnover that allowed Baranesky to dart in alone and snap a shot past Lumberjacks’ starter Nathan Mueller at 5:56.
After surviving being shorthanded to begin OT, Red Lake picked up a power play of their own on a tripping call that impeded a potential break away.
There some crisp passing from Spencer Milne and Carson Lux got it over to Baranesky who deflected a feed in front high over Mueller to give the guests to extra point on the night.
The Miners’ Zach Willms made 30 saves to get the victory and snap Wisconsin’s franchise-best five-game winning streak.
Mueller meanwhile had 37 stops to aid in his side earning a point in defeat.
Photo credit: Katrina Schafer