THUNDER BAY – The nothing-to-play-for Dryden Ice Dogs didn’t put up much of a fight in their regular-season finale
The Ice Dogs, who long ago clinched first place in the Superior International Junior Hockey League, along-with the coveted first-round bye, sat four of their top five point-getters on Saturday night at Fort William Gardens.
Not surprisingly, they were on the wrong end of a 7-1 decision at the hands of a Thunder Bay North Stars team looking to clinch the No. 3 seed heading into the playoffs.
Mission accomplished for the Stars (32-12-6), who scored three times in the first six minutes of play and were able to outlast the defending champion Sioux Lookout Bombers (31-14-5), who entered play on the final night of the 2024-25 season just a single point behind Thunder Bay.
They’ll take on Fort Frances in the opening round, the Lakers (20-21-9) leapfrogged for fifth place by the Red Lake Miners (22-21-7), who doubled the Bombers 4-2 at home.
Matthew Lysak scored twice for Thunder Bay and said ending the season on a high note, and beating the league’s top team, is a great way to hit the postseason.
“Beating Dryden 7-1, going into the playoffs, is definitely what we needed, for sure,” said Lysak, who finished the season with 13 goals and 26 points in 41 outings. “It’s a good confidence boost. They’re top dogs in the league, so for us to come in here, in our own barn, and put up 41 shots and have seven goals, not much more coach could ask for.”
The Ice Dogs (36-9-5) sat Max Roby, McLaren Paulsen, Carson Devine and Eli Antoine. The foursome combined for 92 of Dryden’s 224 goals this season.
You’ve still got to beat the team on the ice in front of you, not the team on paper, said Thunder Bay coach Rob DeGagne, his team finishing at 32-12-6, three points behind second-place Kam River, who, also resting starters, fell 4-3 on the road to the Ironwood Lumberjacks, their first-round opponent.
“We needed to beat them, and then they sit a few guys, so we’re supposed to beat them,” DeGagne said. “I thought we played well. Our goaltending played well. We scored on our opportunities. We move the puck around well, we scored on a few power plays, so it was really nice to get the win. The kids have worked hard and third place is nice.”
The North Stars didn’t wait long to start the goal-train rolling.
Beau Helmeczi struck just 74 seconds into the contest, taking a pass in the slot from Peter Forester, who was stationed behind Noah Davis’ net, and burying it.
Just 1:11 later Carter Anton doubled the lead, ripping a wrist shot top shelf from the left circle.
Lysak was next to strike, making it 3-0 at the 6:47 mark of the first.
The Ice Dogs did get one back on Thunder Bay goaltender Keenan Marks, making his final regular season start at the Gardens. Payton Hu, the lone skater in Dryden’s top-five scoring parade to dress for the game, shovelled the puck through Mark’s pads, standing just outside the crease.
A late penalty gave the Stars the chance to restore their three-goal lead and they made the most of it. Chance Loke taking a pass out front from Connor Larrett.
Thunder Bay took a 5-1 lead early in the second, Lysak putting it home from a sharp angle while falling backward, first ringing the puck off the post. Evan Simeoni, who led all rookies with 22 goals, rounded out the scoring on the power play at 8:29 of the third, four minutes after Marcellus Francis potted his 23rd of the season.
Marks came up big in the final frame, stopping Brodie Scopick and Kelby Diehl on breakways.
The North Stars will open Round 1 of the playoffs on Friday night at the Gardens against the Lakers. Game 2 is Saturday night.
FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Thunder Bay, Helmeczi 19 (Forester) 1:14. Thunder Bay, Anton 3 (Sheriff, Glousher) 2:25. 3. Thunder Bay, Lysak 12 (Helmeczi, Forester) 5:47 4. Dryden, Hu 23 (Wales) 10:11. 5. Thunder Bay, Loke 4 (Gryba, Simeoni) 17:07 pp. Penalties: Paquette DRY (crosschecking) 15:17, Bryson, TBN (interference) 19:59.
SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: 6. Thunder Bay, Lysak 13 (Helmeczi, Forester) 3:33. Penalties: Sheriff TB (slashing) 8:48, Gustafson DRY, Sheriff TBN (roughing) 14:04, Goreniuk DRY (tripping) 18:30.
THIRD PERIOD
Scoring: 7. Thunder Bay, Francis 23 (Franz, Feist) 4:27. 8. Thunder Bay, Simeoni (Anton, Loke) Penalties: Franz TBN (misconduct) 4:27, Sheriff TBN (unsportsmanlike conduct, misonduct), Balicki DRY (unsportsmanlike conduct, misconduct), Gagne DRY (grabbing the facemask) 7:21, Gagne DRY (unsportsmanlike conduct), Diehl DRY (unsportsmanlike conduct) 11:29, Loke TBN (interference) 14:09,
GAME DATA – SOG – Dryden 20-10-13-43, Thunder Bay 15-12-14-41, Power plays (goals-chances) – Dryden (0-3), Thunder Bay (2-6); Goaltenders – Dryden: Noah Davis, Thunder Bay, Keenan Marks; A: 673.
