FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Eric Stout had a goal and an assist in regulation then notched the lone tally in the shootout as the Dryden GM Ice Dogs rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Fort Frances Lakers Friday in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Ice for Kids Arena.
With the win and a Thief River Falls loss in Thunder Bay, Dryden secures first overall in the SIJHL standings and will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming playoffs.
Lakers’ forward Jack Bernie had a big night as he scored all three of his club’s goals on the night for his first SIJHL hat trick.
Adam Withers assisted on all three of Bernie’s markers.
Fort Frances took a 1-0 lead after one period of play before Stout tied it on the power play for the GM Ice Dogs 3:43 into the second.
After Bernie put the home side back on top, Jacen Bracko supplied his league-leading 48th goal of the season for Dryden during a man advantage to knot the affair at 2-2 after two.
Another for Bernie gave Fort Frances the lead for a third time only to see Malcolm Huemmert force overtime with 9:24 to go.
After a scoreless third, Stout had the difference maker as he snapped a low shot through the legs of Lakers’ goaltender Ismael Ralsten.
Landon Pavlisin picked up the win for Dryden making 23 saves while Ralsten was solid despite the setback with a 44-save effort.
Photo credit: Jamie Mountain, Fort Frances Times