Kam River, Dryden on a roll
How sweep it is! Kam River Fighting Walleye and Dryden Ice Dogs both posted perfect weekends in making their own statements in the standings of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League.
Playing at home, Kam River overtook Red Lake for sole possession of first place in the seven-team SIJHL with 6-2 and 5-4 victories over the Miners.
Not only did the two wins lift Kam River into first place with 25 points from a record of 12-3-1 but the two losses dropped Red Lake into third place with 22 points from a 10-3-2 mark. Red Lake is now one point behind second place Thunder Bay (11-7-1, 23 points) but the Miners do have four games in hand on the North Stars.
In the 6-2 Kam River win over Red Lake, Ethan Lang, Colin Wiseman, Carson Gorst and Mackenzie Sedgwick all had one goal, one assist outings, Trenton Morriseau had a pair of helpers and Austin Madge made 44 saves to spark the Fighting Walleye.
Then in the 5-4 Kam River verdict, the Fighting Walleye overcame 3-0 and 4-2 deficits to stun the Miners. Lang had two more goals, Morriseau had three more assists, Madge made another 44 saves and captain Zach Fortin scored the overtime winner as Kam River sent Red Lake packing.
Meanwhile, Dryden ran its winning streak to four games — all road victories — with 9-0 and 5-3 triumphs to sweep the Wisconsin Wilderness. The Ice Dogs now have a 10-8-1 record, good for 21 points and a secure hold on fourth place — and not far from first.
In the 9-0 Dryden whitewash, Tyler Earl and Ondrej Bardos each scored twice, Ian Kimble had a goal and four assists and Jordan Belley made 19 saves for the shutout.
Then, in Dryden’s 5-3 victory, defenseman Branden Hill scored his first two goals of the season to spark the Ice Dogs.