SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Photo credit: Patrick Boucha
Dryden takes 3-0 series lead on English River in Bill Salonen Cup final
COCHENOUR, Ont. – The Dryden GM Ice Dogs erupted for four tallies in a span of a minute and 22 seconds late in the second period to bust open a one-goal game as they went on to thump the English River Miners 8-2 Tuesday evening in Game 3 of the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s Bill Salonen Cup final at Cochenour Arena.
The GM Ice Dogs now hold a commanding three games to none lead in the best-of-seven series and will have a chance to capture the SIJHL championship Thursday when Game 4 goes Thursday at 7:30 p.m. back at Cochenour Arena .
Dryden picked up the night’s opening tally seven minutes into the contest as Braeden Allkins forced a turnover along the end boards deep in Miners’ territory then darted towards the net where he fired a crisp pass to Nic Noseworthy, who chipped his attempt past English River starter Michael Lenko.
The GM Ice Dogs upped their lead later in the frame striking quickly off a face-off win, which allowed Matthew Pitchenese to bury the rebound off a Chris Atanas attempt at 13:57.
The visitors then used a fortuitous bounce to add another before the first period was complete as a harmless looking dump in from centre ice by Garrett Giertuga skipped off the ice and took a crazy hop and beat a surprised Lenko.
English River picked up a fortunate bounce of their own just past the 12-minute mark of the second stanza to get on the board with Michael Di Lullo getting credit for a Miners’ power play goal that was lifted towards the net and slipped past Patrick Zubick in the Dryden net.
Another man advantage allowed the home side to pull within one as Dante Raposo neatly deflected a Trevor Pereverzoff right point snap shot to make it 3-2 at 14:52.
However the GM Ice Dogs answered right back to begin their rapid offensive onslaught with a power play tally of their own as Allkins finished off a nice give-and-go with Derek McPhail as the SIJHL MVP one-timed a quick shot from the slot.
Going right back to the man advantage, Dryden’s McPhail tacked on another 38 seconds later.
The GM Ice Dogs continued to press causing a couple of defensive breakdowns and they capitalized on the Miners’ miscues and struck twice more to blow it open compliments of Jacen Bracko and another by Pitchenese to cap off the visitors’ outburst and spell the end of Lenko’s night is favour of Spencer Eschyschyn.
Dryden tacked on another off a partial breakaway early in the third as Garrett Graham darted down the right wing before cutting in and tucking his chance past Eschyschyn to round out the scoring.
Zubick made 28 saves with the win, improving to 7-0 in the postseason while Lenko suffered the loss allowing seven against on 25 attempts.
Eschyschyn meanwhile stopped 13 of 14 in relief.
The SIJHL champion will advance to the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A Championship. May 2-6, in Trenton, Ont.
SIJHL Bill Salonen Cup Final (Series D)
No. 1 Dryden GM Ice Dogs vs. No. 3 English River Miners
Dryden leads best-of-seven series 3-0
Game 1: Dryden 5 English River 2
Game 2: Dryden 3 English River 1
Game 3: Dryden 8 English River 2
Game 4: Thursday, April 20 @ English River 7:30 p.m. (Cochenour Arena)
Game 5*: Saturday, April 22 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. (Memorial Arena)
Game 6*: Monday, April 24 @ English River 7:30 p.m. (Cochenour Arena)
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 26 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. (Memorial Arena)
*-if necessary