DRYDEN, Ont. – Evan Pakkala’s first Superior International Junior Hockey League goal, which came three and a half minutes into overtime, was the difference as the Dryden GM Ice Dogs held on to defeat the visiting Thunder Bay North Stars 5-4 Saturday night at Memorial Arena.
Dryden came out flying in this one as they stormed out to a 3-0 lead after one period of play on tallies by Braden Shea, Jacob Siebenga and Cameron Coutre who all notched their initial markers in a GM Ice Dogs jersey.
Special teams helped Thunder Bay get back in it in the second stanza when Ryan Mignault struck shorthanded while Joel Willan clicked on a man advantage opportunity.
Another power play goal, off the stick of Mignault, tied it for the North Stars 4:29 into the third only to see Coutre click again for Dryden a few minutes later.
Thunder Bay defenceman Kyle Auger would force extra time as he buried the equalizer while his side was up a man at 13:56.
Moving on to OT, Pakkala was the hero for the home side as his initial league effort won it for the GM Ice Dogs.
Malcolm Huemmert dished out three assists for Dryden in the triumph while Keigan Gerrie had a couple of helpers for the North Stars.
Shots on goal favoured Dryden by a 34-33 margin with Carson Murison picking up the win in his SIJHL debut while Brock Aiken helped his team pick up a point in the OT defeat.