Eight straight for Dryden
Dryden Ice Dogs are on a good run. After starting the Superior International Jr. Hockey League season with three losses, Dryden has since reeled off eight wins in succession.
The sizzling streak has the Ice Dogs in sole possession of second spot behind the league leading Kam River Fighting Walleye. With a record of 8-3-0, the Ice Dogs have a league-best winning percentage of .727. Dryden is five points back of first place Kam River but the Ice Dogs have four games in hand on the Fighting Walleye.
A balanced scoring sheet has paced the Ice Dogs to date. Ryland Maier, Jordan Pfoh and Landen Stromme all have seven goals for Dryden while Bryce Benfield and James Hooton have six apiece.
Between the pipes, Eric Clark has a 6-1-0 record with a 2.69 goals against average and .914 save percentage. Clark is in his first full season in Dryden after being acquired by the Ice Dogs from the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League part way through the 2021-2022 campaign.
Meanwhile, local product Ben Hackl has been a productive performer for the Ice Dogs after missing the first eight games of the season on the injured list. The 20-year old forward has one goal, five assists, six points in three games for the Ice Dogs while providing leadership and experience for his hometown team.
Hackl was acquired by Dryden coach/general manager Kurt Walsten from the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Jr. Hockey League in a summer time trade.