By Tanner Schafer
Spooner, WI – It was a back-and-forth game in Spooner that saw the Dryden GM Ice Dogs prevail with a 6-5 overtime victory.
Dryden dominated the 1st 2 periods outshooting Wisconsin 30-7 but it was the Lumberjacks who had success first. Only 3 minutes into the game Kaden Postal scored a power play goal on an odd man rush to give Wisconsin the lead. Despite controlling the game Dryden was unable to find the back of the net the entire 1st frame and the game entered the 2nd at 1-0.
Early in the 2nd period the Lumberjacks would strike again on a great solo effort by captain Dillon Phillips, giving his side a 2-0 lead. After that it was all Ice Dogs as the Dryden GM squad would score 5 straight goals in the 2nd period. Every goal was scored by a different player, Eli Antoine started it off just after the halfway point. Ryland Maier, Sean Smith, and McKale Paul all scored within 2 minutes of each other to give Dryden a 4-2 lead. To wrap up the period McLaren Paulsen found the back of the net on the power play with 1 second remaining giving the Ice Dogs a 3 goal advantage heading into the 3rd.
The final frame was the best single period of hockey the Lumberjacks have played all year. Wisconsin turned the game back on its head, outshooting Dryden 17-6 and scoring 3 straight goals. Zach Johnson scored first a minute into the period. A short handed goal by Collin Baker brought the Lumberjacks within 1 with 4 and a half minutes remaining. Finally with 2 minutes left Simon Davidson tied the game at 5. Despite the great effort the Lumberjacks were unable to secure the win as a minute and a half into the overtime Dryden took advantage of a Lumberjack’s player losing his stick and Carson Devine scored the game winner. All 11 goals in the game were scored by different players and the Ice Dogs took home the win. The two clubs will play again on Saturday Night.
1st Star – Carson Devine, Game Winning Goal
2nd Star – Collin Baker, 1 Goal and 2 Assists
3rd Star – Dillon Phillips, 1 Goal and 1 Assist