Stars Blank Miners

Matthias Gardiman notched the hat trick and added an assist to power the Thunder Bay North Stars to a 6-0 win over the English River Miners Tuesday night in Ear Falls.  Taylor Santorelli scored a pair of goals while Daniel Delpaggio had the other goal as the Stars ran their second place record to 28-7-5.  Thunder Bay held period leads of 3-0 and 5-0. Nathaniel Dupuis made 34 saves in registering the shutout.  The North Stars take on the first place Lakers in Fort Frances on Friday night.  

Kay Back With Cats

The Border Cats are proud to announce their first player signings of the 2014 Northwoods League season, including outfielder Cory Kay, who will return for his third year in Thunder Bay.  The native of Arlington Heights, IL., is currently in his junior season at Missouri State University.  Kay has belted six home runs in his Border Cats career and batted .257 in 59 games last year with eight doubles, two homers and 24 runs batted in.

Joining Cory on the 2014 club will be his younger brother Gunner Kay, who becomes the third sibling from the Kay family to suit up for the Border Cats. Shortstop Brett Kay played for Thunder Bay in 2011 and 2012 and is currently a member of the San Francisco Giants organization.  Gunner Kay is a 6'2", 180 pound righthander pitcher at Dallas Baptist University.  The freshman was named to the Chicago Daily Herald Cook County All-Area Team in his junior season in high school.  Kay posted a 7-1 record in 2012 with a 1.70 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched.  

The Cats have also signed infielder Adam Collins of Central Michigan University to the 2014 roster.  Collins played 11 games in the second half of the NWL season last summer and was an offensive force for the Cats. The redshirt freshman from Plainfield, IL., hit .381 with five doubles, three home runs and 11 runs batted in.

The Cats, with new field manager Johnny Hernandez, open the 2014 NWL season at home on Tuesday, May 27th, at 7:05pm against the St. Cloud Rox.

Grzelewski Leads Stars

Zach Grzelewski scored twice as the Thunder Bay North Stars wrapped up the SIJHL Showcase Tournament in Spooner, Wisconsin, with a 9-3 victory over the host Wilderness Thursday night.  Thunder Bay held period leads of 3-1 and 6-3.  Taylor Santorelli, Tyler Brower, Tim Cavar, Matthias Gardiman, Kenny Turner and Ryan Walsh also scored for the Stars, who ran their second place record to 27-6-5. Nathaniel Dupuis got the win in goal, stopping 25 shots.  The loss dropped the last place Wilderness to 3-35-0.  The North Stars return home to face the first place Fort Frances Lakers Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens at 7:30.

Stars Edge Iron Rangers

Zach Grzelewski's 25th goal broke a 2-2 third period tie as the Thunder Bay North Stars beat the Minnesota Iron Rangers 3-2 at the SIJHL Showcase Tournament Wednesday night in Spooner, Wisconsin.
Cary Brown and Mattias Gardiman also scored for the Stars, who ran their second place record to 26-6-5 record.  Eric Mann got the win in goal for Thunder Bay as he stopped 41 shots.  The Stars take on the host Wilderness tonight.

Stars Win Again

Daniel Delpaggio and Tim Cavar both scored twice to lead the Thunder Bay North Stars to a 5-2 win over the Fort Frances Lakers Tuesday night at the Fort William Gardens.  Taylor Santorelli scored a third period shorthanded goal when Thunder Bay was down on a 5 and 3 Lakers power play.  Eric Mann lost his shutout bid in the third period, but got the win in goal, stopping 26 shots.  The North Stars (24-6-4) have now won seven straight and trail the first place Lakers by eight points with two games in hand.  The Stars travel to Hoyt Lakes on Friday to take on the Minnesota Iron Rangers.  Thunder Bay's next home game is against Fort Frances on Saturday, January 25th, at 7:30 at the Gardens.    

North Stars Double Wilderness

Daniel Delpaggio scored his team leading 22nd goal to lead the Thunder Bay North Stars to a 4-2 win over the Wisconsin Wilderness Tuesday night at the Fort William Gardens.  Ryan Walsh, with his first of the year, Alex Vaillant and Zach Grzelewski also scored for Thunder Bay. Grzelewski was playing in his first game back with the Stars following a three-game stint with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The North Stars (21-6-4) remain in second place, 12 points behind front running Fort Frances.  Wisconsin (1-32-0) remains dead last in the standings.  The North Stars play host to the Dryden Ice Dogs this Friday and Saturday at the Gardens at 7:30 both nights.