The Dryden GM Ice Dogs are on the right track to keeping the Bill Salonen Cup at home.
They're up two games to none against the Fort Frances Lakers after a 7-2 win on Friday and a 5-2 victory on Saturday.
After dropping their first meeting of the season in a shootout to the Lakers, Dryden reeled off 10 straight victories over Fort Frances to take the season set between the two long-time rivals.
In all though, five of those contests required extra time to decide the outcome however with three being taken in overtime while two went to a shootout. Seven of the 11 meetings ended up being one-goal games.
The Ice Dogs finished first overall in the SIJHL standings for a second straight year ending up with a 40-8-6-2 record to earn the number one seed in the postseason. The Lakers meanwhile ended up fifth in the league after going 15-32-3-6 in 2017-18. They did however knock off the No. 4 seeded English River Miners in quarter-final action taking that best-of-five affair 3-1 to earn their latest meeting with Dryden.
Dryden forward, Jacen Bracko has recently been named the SIJHL Most Valuable Player, leading all players in offensive production. In 56 games played, the 20-year-old topped all SIJHL skaters in both goals and points with 48 and 81. Bracko also finished in the Top 10 in the league in assists (33), shorthanded markers (3) and game-winning goals (5) as did his nine power play tallies, 12-man advantage helpers and 21 extra man points.
SIJHL Top Defenceman award recipient Cory Dennis was second among league blueliners in offensive numbers with 46 points in 54 games. The GM Ice Dogs’ defender’s 15 goals tied him for first among D-men.
The Ice Dogs have the day off today before heading to Fort Frances tomorrow for game three of a best-of-seven affair.
For more information:
