THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – A Cameron Coutre tally 62 seconds into overtime helped the Dryden GM Ice Dogs hold off the Thief River Falls Norskies and prevail with a 5-4 decision Friday in a Superior International Junior Hockey League match-up at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Dryden did come out flying in this one by storming out to a 3-0 lead before the contest was five minutes old on markers from Dylan Winsor, Conner Mowatt and Jacob Siebenga.
Thief River Falls countered though before the first period was complete thanks to an even strength effort from Bryce Johnson and one on the power play off the stick of Boe Bjorge, late.
After a scoreless second session, the GM Ice Dogs went up by two 6:45 into the third on Evan Walls’ fifth of the season.
Battling back once more, the Norskies moved back to within on midway through the stanza as Alec Severson scored on the power play before teammate Brett Piper helped force extra time with just over six minutes remaining in regulation.
Heading into OT, it was Coutre that clicked early to give Dryden the win.
Malcolm Huemmert had two assists for the GM Ice Dogs as did Piper for Thief River Falls.
Jordan Wilde made 30 stops to pick up the win while Bailey Schmitz 39 pucks fired his way in defeat in helping the Norskies earn a point on the night.
The same two teams meet again Saturday back at The Ralph.
Photo credit: Tim Benton