HOYT LAKES, Minn. – The Dryden GM Ice Dogs stormed back from a two-goal deficit midway through the contest to score the game’s final seven markers in an impressive 7-2 come from behind victory over the Minnesota Iron Rangers Saturday in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
With the result the GM Ice Dogs captured the SIJHL’s regular season title as well as the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Bill Salonen Cup playoffs as they also recorded their 38th win of the season, which matches a franchise single-season high for the club. They are now 22 points ahead of the second place Thunder Bay North Stars and cannot be caught in the overall standings.
The regular season crown is Dryden’s second in team history and first since the 2007-08 campaign when they finished with a league-best 75 points, one more than the Fort William North Stars, and a 36-11-3 record.
Minnesota had the upper hand early in Saturday’s contest as they grabbed a 1-0 lead after one period of play on an Eli Kinsman marker.
The Iron Rangers then added to their lead midway through the contest on Cole Thompson’s seventh of the season.
Dryden began their comeback with just over three minutes left in the middle frame thanks to Nic Noseworthy.
The GM Ice Dogs then blew it open in the third as they struck for six unanswered goals to win going away.
Power play efforts from Tristan Knott and Braedyn Aubin tied it and then put the visitors in front.
Dryden kept coming getting tallies in rapid succession from Chris Atanas, Jacen Bracko and Braden Allkins, who collected his SIJHL-leading 45th of the year at 13:43.
Garrett Graham then finished off the offensive outburst with a late effort and secured the result.
Ben Dennis made 31 saves to improve to an impressive 19-0-1-0 on the season.
Sean Angle faced 29 shots in defeat for the Iron Rangers.
