Kam River Fighting Walleye celebrate during game of of their series against the Wisconsin Lumberjacks on April 8th, 2023 Twitter: @KamRiverWalleye

A strong start to the SIJHL semi finals for the Kam River Fighting Walleye Saturday night after they felled the Wisconsin Lumberjacks 10-2 out at the Norwest arena, after not lacing up for a game for three weeks.

Meanwhile the Lumberjacks, who finished the regular season in sixth place, took it to game seven to knock off the third seeded Sioux Lookout Bombers in their premiere year on Thursday.

Biggest stars of the night were Jack Cook who picked up a hat trick, just hours after being recognized as the SIJHL’s Defenceman of the Year, and Max Leduc, who sent another two goals into the back of the net.

The only answer to those those goals and the remaining five came from Wisconsin’s Simon Davidson, who also picked up a game misconduct after checking another player from behind.

The Walleye and Lumberjacks will take to the ice again on Monday at Norwest Arena.

Meanwhile the Thunder Bay Northstars were on the road in Dryden to begin round two of the playoffs against the Dryden Ice Dogs.

The Dogs ended the season in 2nd place.

Opening up the score in the 1st period, was Landen Stromme sending one past the Northstars netminder, Keenan Marks.

Like Cook in the Walleye-Lumberjacks game, Stromme was named the SIJHL’s Forward of the Year.

His goal went unanswered until the last 20 seconds of the 3rd period by Center Jamie Fuchs.

Just 6:21 into the first OT, Fuchs once again finding the back of the net to give the Northstars the win 2-1.

Both teams will lace up again this afternoon at the Dryden Memorial Arena, before returning to the Fort William Gardens Tuesday night.