THUNDER BAY, Ont. – A Jacob Brown goal just six seconds into overtime was the difference as the Thunder Bay North Stars pulled out a dramatic 5-4 triumph over the Dryden GM Ice Dogs Saturday in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at the Fort William Gardens.
After needing OT to win Friday, Thunder Bay was also quick to strike in the contest when Cody Bruchkowski buried his SIJHL-leading 37th tally of the campaign with help from Jett Leishman and Brown.
Dryden came back to tie it at 5:44 as Jesse Mistelbacher completed the efforts of teammates Malcolm Huemmert and Nolan Marshall.
A quick move inside and a rapid release by Adam Morgan put the North Stars back in front only to see Marshall notch his 12th at 15:49 to knot the affair at 2-2 after one period of play.
Some crisp passing during a power play helped the home side go back on top that resulted in Joel Willan picking up his 16th at 12:18 of the middle session.
The GM Ice Dogs answered once more a minute and a half later thanks to Huemmert who deftly deflected a Curtis Magas blast.
Dryden then took their first lead late in the frame as Josh Weber knocked in his 18th at 18:16.
In the third, Thunder Bay forced extra time near the midway point of the stanza when Nikolas Campbell powered his way to the net and snapped in his 15th to knot the affair at 4-4.
The guests had a couple of excellent chances to regain the lead, but were foiled twice in rapid succession on a couple of huge saves by North Stars’ netminder Seth McKay.
Thunder Bay than struck fast in OT to pull out the win as Brown stuffed in the game-winner with one hand on his stick after being stopped on an initial attempt by GM Ice Dogs netminder Jacob Anthony to give his club the narrow victory.
McKay had 31 stops to earn his fourth straight victory while Anthony faced 38 attempts in defeat, but helping Dryden earn one point in the standings.
Photo credit: Gary Moskalyk