Shane Zierden got the scoring started at 2:34 of the first period with assists from Sam Dirkman and Kellen Stenstrom. The Otters took a 2-0 lead fifteen seconds later when Dirkman setup Stenstrom. Fort Frances tied the game with goals at 11:15 and 12:26, ending the first period tied at 2-2.
A Gavin Goepferd goal from Michael Schmidt and Jax Katzenmeyer gave the Otters a 3-2 lead after two periods of play.
Joey Johnson skates toward Jack Welde celebrating his goal. PHOTO by MELISSA BABOLIAN
Gavin Goepford celebrates a goal. PHOTO by MELISSA BABOLIAN
After Fort Frances netted the equalizer 36 seconds into the third period, the Otters responded with an unassisted goal sixteen seconds later from Zierden, his second of the night, giving the home team a 4-3 advantage. From there, Jack Welde scored from Colin Becker at 2:20, Joey Johnson scored from Welde and Griffin Babolian at 2:51, Schmidt scored from Becker and Katzenmeyer at 4:23 and Stenstrom finished off the scoring with an assist from Ethan McGuinnes at 9;58.
Brady Metcalf stopped 22-of-25 shots on goal from Fort Frances.
The Otters will now face Detroit Lakes at 4:00pm Thursday in the final game of the tournament.
The Otters start celebrating after a goal. PHOTO by MELISSA BABOLIAN
