FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Dryden GM Ice Dogs defenceman Cory Dennis had a pair of first period markers and an assist on the game-winner as they held on to defeat the Fort Frances Lakers 5-4 Saturday night in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Ice for Kids Arena.
After Dennis gave Dryden the two-tally cushion heading into the second stanza, teammate Joseph Santalucia’s first SIJHL goal upped the visitors lead to three at 5:08.
Special teams helped Fort Frances get back into it later in the frame as Ian Tookenay scored on the power play before adding another with the Lakers shorthanded to make it 3-2 after two.
The GM Ice Dogs regained their momentum with markers 52 seconds apart from Malcolm Huemmert and Eric Stout to go up 5-2 with 7:19 to play.
Battling back, Fort Frances connected with offensive efforts in rapid succession from Jaedin Ness, with his 10th, and Noah Loveday’s seventh with over four minutes left in regulation.
However Dryden tightened up defensively from there as they held on for the road win.
The GM Ice Dogs outshot the Lakers 53-31 in the match-up with Jacob Gnidziejko picking up the win and Ismael Ralsten the defeat.