SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016
Photo credit: Gary Moskalyk, The Chronicle-Journal
Dryden defeats Thunder Bay in OT
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – A Nic Noseworthy goal with 22 seconds left in overtime lifted the Dryden GM Ice Dogs to a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Thunder Bay North Stars in an action-packed Superior International Junior Hockey League contest Wednesday at the Fort William Gardens.
Dryden started strong in this one grabbing a 2-0 lead after one period of play thanks to a man advantage effort from Eric Stout five minutes in, which was followed by a Derek McPhail even strength marker at 10:46.
Thunder Bay cut into the deficit midway through the second on a power play tally of their own compliments of defenceman Ryan Walsh.
The GM Ice Dogs regained their two-goal cushion at 15:22 of the stanza as Stout notched his second of the night and league-leading 10th overall to make it 3-1 for the visitors after 40 minutes.
The North Stars inched closer five and a half minutes into the third when Brad Thrower beat Dryden netminder Taylor Unruh.
Thunder Bay then forced OT with 97 seconds remaining in regulation with a late power play goal from Nicholas Nigro.
Heading into the new three-on-three format in the five-minute OT both teams traded glorious scoring opportunities, which included Unruh stoning Nigro on a penalty shot 1:17 into the extra session.
Going back and forth, Dryden took advantage of Thunder Bay being unable to clear the zone that eventually saw Noseworthy cut into the right face-off circle and snap the game-winner past Nathaniel Dupuis in the North Stars net to give his side the second point on the night.
Braedyn Aubin had a big evening for the winning side as he dished out three assists to aid their offensive cause.
The GM Ice Dogs outshot Thunder Bay 43-36 in the contest as they improved to 4-1-0-0 early on the season while the North Stars suffered their first blemish as they fell to 5-0-1-0 overall.
SIJHL action resumes Friday as the Minnesota Iron Rangers host the Thief River Falls Norskies at 7 p.m. at Hoyt Lakes Arena.