DRYDEN, Ont. – The Thunder Bay North Stars let a late three-goal lead get away before eventually regrouping with a 7-6 shootout triumph over the Dryden GM Ice Dogs in Superior International Junior Hockey League action Monday at Memorial Arena.
Dryden began by taking a 2-1 lead after one period of play on markers by Trygve Many Guns and Malcolm Huemmert sandwiched around one by Thunder Bay’s Michael Stubbs.
The second stanza belonged to the North Stars as they scored three times to go up 4-2 with Kyle Auger, Keighan Gerrie and Cole Turbide all finding the back of the net for the visitors.
In the third, Brown added another early to make it 5-2 Thunder Bay before Dryden’s Ryan Brandt and Auger traded goals to see the score go to 6-3.
Undaunted, the GM Ice Dogs began their comeback at 16:42 with Many Guns notching his second of the game and 12th overall.
They added another less than a minute later to pull within one as Braden Shea banged in his 13th to bring the home side closer.
Then with their goaltender out in favour of an extra attacker, Dryden drew level as Huemmert blew past a North Stars defender and eventually found himself untouched in front where he jammed in the equalizer with 12 seconds to go to force overtime.
After a scoreless OT, extra shots saw Gerrie and Ryan Mignault both convert for the Thunder Bay while Brandt had the lone marker for the GM Ice Dogs before they were foiled on their final chance, which allowed the North Stars to escape with the additional point.
Cameron Coutre dished out three assists for the hosts.
Dougie Newhouse faced 43 shots in picking up the win.
Jacob Anthony started for Dryden and allowed five against on 20 attempts before giving way to Jordan Wilde who handled seven of eight in relief and suffered the shootout setback.
Photo credit: Mark Whittaker