By Tanner Schafer
Fort Frances, ON – Despite the close scoreline the Dryden GM Ice Dogs dominated the Fort Frances Lakers from start to finish winning 4-2 on Friday. The Ice Dogs started the game by out skating the Lakers on the way to a 24-6 shot advantage after the first 20 minutes of play. This effort also resulted in 2 goals, Max Roby would find the back of the net on the power play with an assist going to Bryce Benfield for tally number 1. Landen Stromme would also score to make it a 2-0 advantage to the Ice Dogs heading into the 1st break.
Dryden would keep up the pressure in the 2nd but it was Fort Frances who would score 1st. Halfway through the period Brady Wicklund would score a short handed goal to bring the game back within 1. Jack Wood picked up the lone assist on the play. James Hooten would extend the lead back to 2 with a power play marker a few minutes later. Kaden Bandura and Ryland Maier both picked up assists on the play. McKale Paul would score his 1st game in an Ice Dogs uniform right before the intermission assisted by Garrett Hrechka.
Only 1 goal would be scored in the 3rd period. Blake Ferris scored his 1st goal of the year for the Fort Frances Lakers to make the score 4-2. Ferris was the 3rd player in the game to score his first of the year joining Wicklund and Paul. It was a power play goal assisted by Trevor Sanderson and Kevin Bond.
Despite the loss it was an impressive performance in net for Brenden Stroble as he stopped 56 of 60 shots in the losing effort. Zac Clark was in net for the Ice Dogs, stopping 21 shots and getting the win.
The 2 teams will play again on Saturday.