THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – Dryden GM Ice Dogs goaltender Jacob Gnidziejko turned aside all 35 shots he faced Saturday to record his first Superior International Junior Hockey League shutout to backstop his side to a 4-0 victory over the first place Thief River Falls Norskies Saturday in front of 904 fans at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Jacen Bracko staked the visiting GM Ice Dogs to the lead just past the nine-minute mark of the opening frame in what proved to be the lone tally of the session and the eventual game-winner.
Dryden added to their cushion early in the middle stanza as Malcom Huemmert picked up his 12th of the season at 1:48.
It was more Dryden to begin the third as Bracko notched his second of the evening and 27th overall to make it 3-0 at 1:05.
Eric Stout then capped off the victory with his 21 of 2017-18 to round out the night’s scoring.
Gnidziejko did the rest to hand the Norskies just the second loss of the season.
Bailey Schmitz was busy in the Thief River Falls net as he was peppered with 48 shots against in defeat.
The same two teams will meet once again Sunday evening in a 7 p.m. start back at Engelstad Arena.
Photo credit: Allison Garrigan