THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – The hottest team in Jr. A hockey continued their winning ways Thursday as the Thief River Falls Norskies edged the English River Miners 3-2 in an extended shootout in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Stratton Pickett gave the Miners the lead in the first period before Pete Grytdahl drew the Norskies level later in the opening frame.
English River then picked up the lone marker of the second session thanks to an Ethan Wong effort at 2:55.
It stayed 2-1 for the visitors until 6:46 left in regulation when Parker Simosnon buried his league-leading 18th goal of the season to send it to overtime.
After a scoreless five-minute OT failed to produce a winner, extra shots were then needed to decide it.
It that shootout a total of 12 skaters were used before a goal was scored, which came off the stick of Blair Lindholm to give Thief River Falls the win and keep their impressive winning streak intact.
Brock Lefebvre had another tremendous night in net for the Norskies making 43 stops in regulation, including a first period penalty shot, and OT along with six straight saves in the shootout to earn yet another victory.
Michael Lenko also turned in a solid performance for the Miners as he faced 40 shots along the way, plus six more in the shootout to help his side earn a point on the night.
Photo credit: Allison Garrigan