Lakers force Game 7 against North Stars with 4-2 win.

FORT FRANCES – Game 7 is now a reality for the Fort Frances Lakers and Thunder Bay North Stars.

The Lakers staved off elimination on Saturday night with a 4-2 win, holding off a North Stars team that had closed a three-goal gap to one with 78 seconds to go in regulation.

Landon Lowes potted an empty netter with 14 seconds left on the clock to seal the win, evening the best-of-seven series at three games apiece.

Game 7 will be played Tuesday night at Fort William Gardens.

Noam McPherson, Nolan Barker and Brady Krentz scored goals in an eight-minute span, straddling the first and second periods to give the hometown Lakers a 3-0 lead.

Connor Larrett finally got the North Stars on the board at 15:04 of the second, but it would take them most of the third to get another.

Chance Loke notched his second of the Superior International Junior Hockey League season, the goal coming on the power play.

The equalizer never materialized, however.

Gunner Paradis made 37 saves to earn the win for the Lakers. Keenan Marks allowed three goals on 34 shots to take the loss.

Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday for Game 7.