Ryan DeConcini had a four-point night to lead the Lakers past Fort Frances, Ontario 5-2 at the Ralph Engelstad Classic in Thief River Falls Monday.
DeConcini recorded two goals and two assists, including a shorthanded game-winner late in the second period.
The Lakers scored four times in the second after a scoreless first period of play with Fort Frances holding a 9-8 advantage in shots after 17 minutes.
Jon Richards opened the scoring at 3:44 of the second period from DeConcini, answered three minutes later by Fort Frances’ Tyler Vanuden at 6:19.
DeConcini scored consecutive goals at 6:36 and 13:02 and Sam Boomgarden scored in the final two minutes as the Lakers’ top line gave DL a 4-1 lead heading to intermission.
ADVERTISEMENT
DeConcini leads the Lakers with nine goals and nine assists for 18 points through nine games.
Carson Tunheim scored his first career varsity goal midway through the third period pushing DL’s lead to 5-1. Bailey Tulius recorded his second assist of the year on the play.
Spencer Shortreed added a late power play goal for Fort Frances and the 5-2 final.
MacKenzie Steele stopped 23 of 25 shots to earn the victory in net. Steele is 4-2-1 with a goals against average of 1.51 and a save percentage of .941.
Steele is sixth in Minnesota in GAA and third in save percentage.
Jordan Carlson faced 28 Laker shots stopping 23.
Detroit Lakes (6-2-1) will continue round robin play today, Tuesday, Dec. 30 against undefeated Alexandria (8-0-1) at 2:30 p.m. at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls. The Lakers will wrap up tournament play Wednesday at 3 p.m. versus the host Prowlers (4-6).
Laker results
ADVERTISEMENT
Ralph Engelstad Classic, Monday, Dec. 29, Thief River Falls, Minn
FF 0 1 1 - 2
DL 0 4 1 - 5
Scoring
Second period
DL - Richards (DeConcini) 3:44
FF - Vanuden (Taylor, Williams) 6:19
DL - DeConcini (Bollig, Ja. DeConcini) 6:36
DL - DeConcini (SH) 13:02
DL - Boomgarden (DeConcini, Richards) 15:39
Third period
DL - Tunheim (Tulius) 8:25
FF - Shortreed (Williams, Koles) (PP) 11:58
Saves: DL - Steele 23/25; FF - Carlson 23/28
