DRYDEN, Ont. – The Fort Frances Lakers picked up two goals apiece from Jaedin Ness, who tied it late, and Colton Bodnar, who notched the game-winner 36 seconds into overtime, to defeat the Dryden GM Ice Dogs 4-3 in Superior International Junior Hockey League action Wednesday at Memorial Arena.
Dryden did get off to a good start as they picked up the lone tally of the first period when Ryan Brandt collected his second of the campaign at 9:05.
Going to the power play in the second stanza, Bodnar tied it for the Lakers at 13:05 with his first of the night.
The GM Ice Dogs countered a couple minutes later to go back on top off the stick of Malcom Huemmert.
Down a man, Ness struck shorthanded at 17:13 for Fort Frances to tie things up once more.
However, the home side came right back once again to regain the lead in the final moments of the session as Cameron Coutre buried his 15th during a Dryden power play as he ran a point streak to five with the marker.
Action in the back and forth affair saw Ness strike late in regulation as he forced extra time by putting in the equalizer with 53 seconds left in the third.
Building on that momentum, Bodnar won it quickly in OT for the guests with assists going to Kirk Coppock and Ness, as he ended it on a power play chance that had carried over into the frame.
In all, Ness had a four-point outing for the winning side.
Lakers’ netminder Jacob Gnidziejko was solid in picking up the win against his former club as he made 39 stops on the night, including 18 in the third period alone.
Jacob Anthony faced 33 attempts in defeat helping GM Ice Dog pick up a point in the contest.
Photo credit: Darby Hatfield