SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Photo credit: Michael Christianson, Dryden Observer
GM Ice Dogs take 2-0 series lead on Miners in Bill Salonen Cup final
DRYDEN, Ont. – The Dryden GM Ice Dogs picked up a goal and two assists from Kris Hamlin to help lead his side to a 3-1 triumph over the English River Miners Saturday in Game 2 of the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s Bill Salonen Cup final at Memorial Arena.
The GM Ice Dogs now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 as play now shifts to Cochenour Arena for Game 3 Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
English River took their first lead in the series after Michael Di Lullo chipped the puck up to Jamie Driedger who drove who in turn drove into the Dryden zone, then darted wide left before feathering a pass back across to a hard-charging Austin Kuhn who chipped the night’s opening tally over the pad of GM Ice Dogs starter Patrick Zubick at 10:47.
The home side came out hard to begin the middle session and produced a number of quality chances as they pressed the pace in search of the equalizer.
Dryden was rewarded with the tying tally five minutes into the stanza as SIJHL most valuable player Braeden Allkins shovelled a pass over to captain Derek McPhail, whose attempt was deposited past Miners’ goaltender Michael Lenko.
Allkins then showed why he was named the SIJHL’s top player as he pulled an impressive spin move before ripping a quick wrist shot that beat Lenko cleanly at 13:39.
Dryden’s domination of the second stanza late in the frame as Hamlin jumped around an English River defender then whipped in his third of the playoffs with 51 seconds to go.
With the lead entering the third, the GM Ice Dogs then clamped down defensively as the final frame was scoreless as they secured their sixth consecutive victory of the playoffs.
Shots on goal in the contest favoured Dryden 36-27 with Zubick posting the win and Lenko the loss.
The SIJHL champion will advance to the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A Championship. May 2-6, in Trenton, Ont.
SIJHL Bill Salonen Cup Final (Series D)
No. 1 Dryden GM Ice Dogs vs. No. 3 English River Miners
Dryden leads best-of-seven series 2-0
Game 1: Dryden 5 English River 2
Game 2: Dryden 3 English River 1
Game 3: Tuesday, April 18 @ English River 7:30 p.m. (Cochenour Arena)
Game 4: Thursday, April 20 @ English River 7:30 p.m. (Cochenour Arena)
Game 5*: Saturday, April 22 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. (Memorial Arena)
Game 6*: Monday, April 24 @ English River 7:30 p.m. (Cochenour Arena)
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 26 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. (Memorial Arena)
*-if necessary