THUNDER BAY, Ont. – A Ryan Mignault power play goal 8:55 into the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Thunder Bay North Stars went on to edge the Dryden GM Ice Dogs 2-1 Tuesday evening in Game 3 of the Superior International Junior Hockey League Bill Salonen Cup final at the Fort William Gardens.
Thunder Bay now leads the best-of-seven affair 2-1 heading into Game 4 Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. back at the Gardens.
Dryden opened the scoring just past the four-minute mark of the first period when Trey Palermo scooped up the puck off a Matthew Pitchenese rush and went high on North Stars starter Brandon Bodnar.
Thunder Bay would draw level early in the second stanza as Logan Mihalcin snapped a shot from just inside the blueline that sailed high off the post and eluded GM ice Dogs’ netminder Landon Pavlisin, who was screened on the play.
The North Stars would convert during a man advantage and while on a delayed penalty call Mignault redirected a Kyle Auger right point attempt later in the frame to put the home side in front on what proved to be the night’s final tally.
Neither side would be able to add another offensively, largely in part to the stellar play of Pavlisin in the Dryden net as he finished with 49 stops in the narrow defeat and Bodnar, who handled 33 of the 34 attempts he faced to record the one-goal win.
SIJHL Playoffs
SIJHL Bill Salonen Cup Final (Series E)
Dryden GM Ice Dogs vs. Thunder Bay North Stars
Thunder Bay leads best-of-seven series 2-1
Game 1: Dryden 3 Thunder Bay 2 (OT)
Game 2: Thunder Bay 3 Dryden 2
Game 3: Thunder Bay 2 Dryden 1
Game 4: Wednesday, April 18 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m. ET (Gardens)
Game 5: Friday, April 20 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. CT (Memorial)
Game 6*: Saturday, April 21 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m. ET (Gardens)
Game 7*: Monday, April 23 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. CT (Memorial)
*- if necessary