HOYT LAKES, Minn. – The Dryden GM Ice Dogs stormed out to a 6-0 lead and then had to withstand a Minnesota Iron Rangers comeback bid before eventually prevailing 6-4 Saturday in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
A night after getting blanked by Minnesota, Dryden got going early in this one grabbing a 3-0 lead before the contest was 15 minutes old on markers from Jacen Bracko and Cory Dennis at even strength along with a power play tally courtesy of Bracko.
The GM Ice Dogs then tallied twice early in the second period to go up by five as Malcolm Huemmert and Bracko scored a minute and a half apart to seemingly take control of the contest.
Carson Lux kept the Dryden offensive onslaught going at 6:17 as he picked up his first SIJHL goal as well as spell the end of Iron Rangers’ starter Rob Ivy’s night in favour of Tyler Thompson.
Shorthanded, Minnesota got on the board eight minutes in when Eli Kinsman set-up Clayton Brown for his seventh of the season.
Continuing to battle back, the Iron Rangers added two more 22 seconds apart with Mark Sanchez supplying his 10th during a man advantage and Garrett Wojcicki burying his first to pull their side to within three with an even strength effort.
On the power play late in the third, Minnesota moved closer thanks to Mihali See with 32 seconds remaining, but Dryden held on from there to pull out the road win.
The hat trick for Bracko was his first of the season and third of his SIJHL career.
The GM Ice Dogs outshot the Iron Rangers 46-28 on the night with Landon Pavlisin picking up the victory.
Ivy suffered the loss allowing the six against on 27 attempts while Thompson was solid in relief as he turned aside all 19 shots he saw in relief.
Photo credit: Jayde Kaeter