A pair of Diego Breckenridge third period tallies proved to be the difference as the Dryden Ice Dogs defeated the Fort Frances Lakers 6-4 Wednesday evening in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at Memorial Arena.
The home side jumped out to an early 2-0 lead courtesy of goals by Daniel Morin and Tom Kuhn.
After Bryan Broders cut the deficit to one at 9:35 of the session, Tyson Holder restored Dryden’s cushion two minutes later.
Before the period was complete, a Jordan Christianson power play effort brought the Lakers back to within a goal.
After Tyler Newsome made it 4-2 Dryden, Fort Frances answered back courtesy of Byron Katapaytuk and Davis Smith to knot the proceedings heading into the final frame.
In the third stanza Breckenridge potted the eventual game-winner at 5:06 and then added some insurance four minutes later to round out the scoring.
Dean Shepherdson picked up the victory while making 26 saves. Tyler Ampe faced 27 shots in a losing cause.
With the win the Ice Dogs moved into third place in the SIJHL standings with 45 points, two ahead of Thunder Bay, who do hold three games in hand.
Fort Frances fell to 27-10-4 in the setback.
SIJHL play continues Thursday as the front running Wisconsin Wilderness look to extend their 16-game winning streak when they take on the Iron Range Ironheads in Hoyt Lakes, Minn. Game time is 8 p.m.
