FORT FRANCES LAKERS 7 DRYDEN ICE DOGS 4 – A Kevin Kurm goal at the 13:48 mark of the third period stood up as the game-winner as the hometown Lakers defeated Dryden at Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances jumped out to a 4-0 lead after just 23 minutes of action on markers by John Dora, Lucas Debendet, Bryce Lipinski and Riley Daly.
Not to be deterred the Ice Dogs answered back with four of their own to tie it thanks to tallies by Zachary Kercz, Rory Court, Chris Sitco and Tyson Holder, who knotted the affair a minute into the final frame.
The game stayed that way until Kurm connected for his second goal of the season to put the Lakers back in front for good.
Bryce Jasper added some insurance with a minute and a half to go intercepting a clearing attempt from a Dryden defender and then wiring it past Ice Dogs netminder Robert Kopyek-MacKenzie.
Fort Frances then wrapped up the night with Debenedet tacking on his second of the night and league-leading fifth marker of the young season.
Ryan Ferguson saw 25 shots as he picked up his first victory in the league while Kopytek-MacKenzie faced 40 attempts in a losing cause for Dryden.
SIJHL action resumes Tuesday as Fort Frances heads to Hoyt Lakes Arena to take on the Iron Rangers at 7 p.m.