SLP’s Kellan Duffy looks to make a play during a game against Tupper Lake on Jan. 4. (News photo — Parker O’Brien)

TUPPER LAKE — The Tupper Lake boys hockey team picked up its third straight win over Saranac Lake Placid, topping its rivals 4-3 on Jan. 4 at the Tupper Lake Civic Center.

Griffin Shaheen chipped in two goals for the Lumberjacks. Karter Kenniston and Sawyer Dewyea each found the back of the net once.

Kenniston, Mason Fowler, Gage LaValley, Kyler McClain and Brendan Clark added assists.

The Lumberjacks jumped out to a 3-0 lead halfway through the second period, before SLP cut the deficit to 3-1 thanks to a goal from freshman Ayden McCormick.

Shaheen pushed the hosts lead to 4-1 with a rebound goal 61 seconds later.

SLP’s Will Landriault then made it a 4-2 contest when he netted a 5-on-3 power-play goal at 15:51 into the second period. Ryan Bartholomew followed with a goal early in the third period to bring the score within one.

“We kept pushing and pushing and came back to 4-3,” SLP head coach Josh Spanburgh said. “We had other opportunities, but credit to Tupper Lake and their program because they worked hard tonight. I still think we were the better team, but again they got the puck and got four on us and we only got three.”

SLP had multiple scoring opportunities in the third period, but were all turned away. The team’s chances dwindle, especially after committing a too many men penalty while pulling their goalie late in the game.

“Just like the last few games and the last few times, we played hard and we worked hard,” Spanburgh said. “We had a lot of opportunities, but things aren’t going our way.”

McCormick paced SLP with three points, which included two assists. Kellan Duffy, Evan Willett and Evan Harvey added assists. SLP dropped to 3-3 overall.

“Overall, I just think that our guys are trying and they’re working their tails off,” Spanburgh said. “It’s weird to say because it doesn’t feel like we are, but we are still in the early stages for our league play because we’ve only had one league game. I think these games are making us ready for those and we’re working them hard and they’re working hard.”

Tupper Lake finished with a 52-37 edge in shots on goal. Cassidy Goodman started in nets for SLP and finished with 33 saves before being replaced in the third by Scottie Nicholas, who made 15 stops. Brayden Shannon had 34 saves for the Lumberjacks.

Right out of the gate, Kenniston split the SLP defense and sent a wrist shot past Goodman to open the scoring at 2:01 in the first period.

The game remained a one goal contest until Dewyea, a sophomore, who was moved up to second line center for the Jan. 4 game due to another player’s absence, stepped up early in the middle period. Dewyea jumped on a loose rebound in front of the SLP and buried his first career varsity goal.

Shaheen scored the Lumberjacks’ third goal of the night when he riffled the puck past Goodman’s shoulder on a powerplay 7:41 into the second period.

SLP also suffered a 9-1 loss to Williamsville North on Jan. 7 in Lake Placid.