KENORA -- The Kam River Fighting Walleye left the Kenora Islanders wondering what hit them on Saturday night.
After jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first period, the Fighting Walleye (3-1-0-0) found the back of the net on seven occasions in the middle stanza and potted home five goals in the final frame on their way to a 16-2 rout of the Islanders (0-3-1-0) in a Superior International Junior Hockey League contest at the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre.
The performance was easily the best ever in a game for the Fighting Walleye. Their previous record came on March 2 when they beat the Islanders at home by a score of 12-1.
Kam River was one goal away from matching the performance that the Red Lake Miners put together on Feb. 20, 2022, in their 17-4 romp over the Wisconsin Lumberjacks.
Callum Halls, who was acquired from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Swan Valley Stampeders on Thursday, led the way for the Fighting Walleye with three goals and two assists.
Daxton Lang also recorded a hat trick, Jett Mintenko dished out three helpers and Amar Powar had a goal and three assists for the visitors.
Carter Poddubny and Sam Sargeant both lit the lamp twice, with Tie Schumacher, Edwin Liang, Nickolas Fagnilli, Easton Debray and Max Wright rounding out the scoring.
Konnor Sapp and Josh Boyko provided the offence for the Islanders in the second period.
Shot totals from the game were not available.
Thunder Bay 6, Ironwood 1: The North Stars (2-2-0-0) swept their weekend trip to Michigan as they scored a pair of goals in each period. Tyler Jordan led the way for the visitors with two goals and two assists, while Cohen Tangedal had a goal and a pair of helpers. Spencer Gryba and Beau Helmeczi each had two assist evenings. Julian Calcagnino recorded the lone goal for the Lumberjacks (0-3-0-1).
Sioux Lookout 6, Dryden 4: Alex Lucas lit the lamp twice as the Bombers (3-1-0-0) earned a weekend split against the host Ice Dogs (2-2-0-0). Peter Zilkalns, Ty Kirk and former North Stars defenceman Garren Voisey had a goal and an assist each for the defending SIJHL champions. Carson Devine dished out three helpers in a losing effort.
A game between the Red Lake Miners (3-0-0-0) and Fort Frances Lakers (1-1-1-0) that was slated to be held in Fort Frances was postponed due to what the league described as "unforeseen transportation issues." It will be rescheduled for a later date.
All eight teams are slated to resume play Friday night.
