The Dryden Ice Dogs started 2012 on a winning note defeating the Duluth Clydesdales 5-2 Thursday evening in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Memorial Arena.
The home side took a 1-0 lead after one period courtesy of a late goal by Chris Belhumeur.
Bryce Maggrah would extend the cushion with his 10th marker of the campaign, coming at 12:34 of the middle stanza.
After Tyler Newsome made it 3-0 early in the final frame, Duluth responded with goals from Matt Morsette and Jonathon Ringstad to pull within one with just over five minutes to play.
However, Dryden’s Tyson Holder snuffed out any comeback bid by Duluth by tacking on a pair of tallies to round out the scoring on the night.
With the triumph the Ice Dogs won their third straight contest and have now moved into third spot in the SIJHL standings with 38 points on a 17-13-4 record, surpassing idle Thunder Bay who slip to fourth overall, but hold two games in hand.
Dean Shepherdson made 18 saves to register the win.
The Clydesdales fell to 12-24 in defeat with Matt Arnold facing 34 shots in the loss.
The two sides were to have played again on Friday back in Dryden, but due to transportation issues facing Duluth that game has been postponed and will be replayed on Thursday, Jan. 26.
