THUNDER BAY, Ont. – A penchant for big third periods proved pivotal once again for the Dryden GM Ice Dogs as they roared back from a two-goal deficit and produced five markers in the final session to shock the Thunder Bay North Stars 7-5 Friday in a Superior International Junior Hockey League contest at the Fort William Gardens.
A back and forth opening 20 minutes saw each side tally twice as Jacen Bracko and Chris Atanas connected for Dryden while Brendan Gillis and Dillon Ward countered for Thunder Bay.
The North Stars picked up the pace in the middle stanza outshooting the GM Ice Dogs 19-9 in the session and outscoring them 2-0 as Owen Belisle picked up his first SIJHL goal while Keighan Gerrie had one on a late power play.
An early man advantage helped Dryden get going in the third, compliments of Wyatt Lawrence at 2:43, but the home side got that back 17 seconds later thanks to Alex Maticic.
Going back up a skater, the GM Ice Dogs made it 5-4 on an Eric Stout effort.
Dryden then took advantage of some sloppy play by Thunder Bay to strike three times in a four-minute span in the latter stages of the contest to pullout the come from behind triumph.
After Luke Bellerose tied it with eight minutes left, Trey Palermo struck shorthanded at 14:35 for the eventual game-winner.
Bryce McDonald then capped off the offensive outburst a couple shifts later to round out the scoring.
Shots on goal favoured the GM Ice Dogs 41-39 with Logan Sawka picking up the win and Brandon Bodnar the loss.
Photo credit: Gary Moskalyk