SIOUX LOOKOUT – The home team has had the edge all season long when the Sioux Lookout Bombers and the Thunder Bay North Stars have met.
Why should the playoffs be any different?
The second seeded Bombers jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Friday night in the opener of their best-of-seven second-round series against the third-ranked North Stars and held on to capture a 3-2 triumph to take 1-0 series lead.
Owen Riffel had a goal and an assist, with singles going to Nolan Palmer and Cobe Delaney, the Bombers able to withstand a 32-shot barrage by the visiting North Stars.
Alex Remenda, with his fourth of the playoffs, and Beau Helmeczi, who also has four goals in the postseason, scored for Thunder Bay, who will try to even the series in Game 2 on Saturday night.
Jack Osmond made 30 saves to earn the win for Sioux Lookout. Keenan Marks made 21 saves for Thunder Bay.
Kam River and Red Lake will kick off the other Superior International Junior Hockey League semifinal on Sunday evening at Norwest Arena. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
SIJHL notes: Sioux Lookout's Owen Cotter on Friday was named the SIJHL's defensive forward of the year. Earlier in the week Thunder Bay's E.J. Paddington won the league's most improved player award and teammate Easton Mikus was named the league's top rookie.
