THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Kyle Auger’s 20th goal of the season, coming nearly six minutes into the third period, proved to be the game-winner as the Thunder Bay North Stars recorded their 13th victory in a row Friday with an eventual 4-3 triumph over the Dryden GM Ice Dogs in Superior International Junior Hockey League action Friday evening at the Fort William Gardens.
Dryden opened the scoring 10:38 into the contest on a Jacob Siebenga effort only to see Jacob Brown knock in his 11th a couple minutes later for Thunder Bay to knot the affair at 1-1.
The North Stars then took the lead late in the first as Michael Vecchio finished off the work of line-mates Alex Erwin and Jonathan Kilby.
Siebenga then buried his second of the night and 16th overall at 17:22 of the second stanza to level the proceedings once more.
However, the home side countered again moments later to go back in front as Michael Stubbs buried his 16th to make it 3-2 North Stars after two.
Auger then picked up the eventual difference maker in the third as he quickly finished off a Keighan Gerrie cross-ice feed to put the hosts up by two.
Battling back, Dryden inched closer with half a period to play as Curtis Magas stuffed in the rebound of a Ryan Brandt point shot.
However, Thunder Bay held firm from there to secure that 13th consecutive decision.
Dougie Newhouse made 33 saves to record the win for the North Stars while Jordan Wilde faced 36 attempts in defeat.
The same two sides meet again Saturday back at the Gardens in a 7:30 p.m. start.
Photo credit: Rick Baraniuk