DRYDEN, Ont. – Colton Spicer’s 10th tally of the season midway through the third period was the decider as the Fort Frances Lakers slipped past the Dryden GM Ice Dogs 3-2 Saturday in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Memorial Arena.
Dryden took the lead late in the opening frame as Chris Baumen notched his first of the season at 18:05.
Fort Frances pulled even at 13:08 of the second as Lucas Debenedet connected on the power play to tie things up after 40 minutes.
In the third Bryson Jasper gave the visiting Lakers their first lead at 7:31 before Spicer made it 3-1 three minutes later.
Eric Masters pulled the Ice Dogs to within one with 4:56 to go, but they would get no closer as Fort Frances held on for the win.
Shots on goal were 33-29 in favour of the Lakers with Devin Tappenden picking up the win and Tate Sproxton the loss.
With the decision 12-5-0-1 Fort Frances moves back into first place in the SIJHL standings, one point ahead of idle Thunder Bay with the North Stars holding a game in hand.
Third place Dryden slipped to 8-7-0-2 with the defeat.
League play continues Wednesday as the Lakers host the Minnesota Iron Rangers in a 7:30 p.m. start at Ice for Kids Arena.