DRYDEN, Ont. – The Dryden GM Ice Dogs picked up a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and one assist from Josh Weber to help lead them to a 5-3 victory over long-time rival, the Thunder Bay North Stars, in Superior International Junior Hockey League play Wednesday night at Memorial Arena.
Dryden opened the scoring 6:43 into the contest as Malcolm Huemmert drove down the left wing, skated around the North Stars net then banked in an attempt past Thunder Bay starter Jordan Smith.
The home side then added to their cushion during a man advantage off a dump in that was misplayed and allowed Nolan Marshall to chip in his ninth of the season from the side of the goal.
The North Stars’ Jacob Brown whacked one in from close range during a man advantage chance to get the guests on the board at 15:50, only to see Weber restore the Dryden cushion before the first period was complete.
In the middle stanza, Hunter Foreshew brought Thunder Bay back to within one, but Weber was there again to supply the eventual difference maker and make it a 4-2 game after 40 minutes.
Back and forth they went with Jett Leishman firing a cross-ice pass to an open Cody Bruchkowski in the third as he chipped in his SIJHL-leading 25th tally with over 12 minutes to play.
It stayed that way when the visitors pulled Smith for an extra attacker, however Dryden broke out of their own zone off a faceoff win and saw Curtis Magas slide one into the empty net.
Picking up a power play after that, the North Stars opted to get their goaltender out once more and came inches away from almost giving up another empty netter when Dryden goaltender Jacob Anthony fired the puck down the length of the ice towards the open net only to see his attempt hit off the left goal post and slides into the corner.
Anthony did finish with 35 saves to record the win while Smith faced 39 shots in defeat.
Photo credit: Gary Moskalyk