It wasn’t too long ago there were questions around Nolan Koethler and if he would ever play hockey again let alone be able to return to the Fort Frances Lakers.
But Friday night Koethler got the start at the Memorial Centre and was named first star in a 4-3 shootout win over the Sioux Lookout Bombers.
In March, the veteran goaltender for the Lakers was severely injured in a farm accident.
GM and Coach Luke Judson says it was one of his best days in hockey when Koethler was cleared to play for the upcoming season.
Anthony Yerxa scored the winner in the shootout for the Lakers. Carter Peters, Ayden MacKay and Ryder Kirk scored in regulation for Fort Frances. Emmet Long, Cooper Labelle and Tyler Laszlo netted goals for Sioux Lookout.
The Lakers improved to 4-2-1 and sit in second place in the SIJHL standings while Sioux Lookout drops to 2-1-0-1
In other action Friday night, the Dryden Ice Dogs downed Red Lake 5-2. Baden Pazdierski picked up 2 goals and an assists to continue his early season hot start. The Thunder Bay North Stars tightened their grip on 1st place with a 4-2 win over the Kam River Fighting Walleye.
Tonight, the North Stars are in Dryden to take on the Ice Dogs at 7:00 pm central time.
