THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – The Dryden GM Ice Dogs broke open a tie game with three unanswered goals in the back half of the third period to pull out a 6-3 victory over the Thief River Falls Norskies in a Superior International Junior Hockey League match-up Friday evening at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
With the result, Dryden moves to within one point of first place Thief River Falls in the quest for top spot overall in the SIJHL standings with each club having nine games remaining.
Jacen Bracko’s league-leading 38th tally of the season but the visitors in front four minutes into the contest before Blair Lindholm drew Thief River Falls level at 7:25.
The GM Ice Dogs’ Ted Davis gave his side the lead once more midway through the second, but the Norskies answered once more with the equalizer off the stick of Parker Simonson before the frame was complete.
Moving on to the third, Dryden started with a man advantage and capitalized just 17 seconds in when Cory Dennis collected his 14th on the campaign.
However the home side tied it for the third time with Alec Daman converting during a power play at 10:45.
The GM Ice Dogs answered that though on the next shift with Carson Lux providing the eventual game-winner.
Tristan Simm at 14:49 as well as Evan Walls late, into an empty net, capped off the offensive outburst as Dryden earned the victory.
Brendan Jay and Jay Palermo had two assists each for the winners with Alec Severson adding a couple helpers for the Norskies.
The Dryden GM Ice Dogs held the edge in shots by a 43-24 count with Jacob Gnidziejko picking up the victory while Bailey Schmitz suffered the loss.
The same two teams will meet again Saturday at 7 p.m. back at The Ralph.
Photo credit: Allison Garrigan