Race for third place on pace
It is a fresh rivalry that figures to become more furious as the 2021-2022 season progresses. Kam River Fighting Walleye is in its first full season as members of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League while the Dryden Ice Dogs are a flagship franchise dating back to the SIJHL’s inception in 2001.
And heading into play this week, Kam River has overtaken Dryden for sole possession of third place in the standings of the seven team SIJHL by virtue of the Fighting Walleye reeling in a recent 6-4 road decision over the Ice Dogs.
The stare down victory boosted Kam River’s record to 6-2-1 for 13 points while the home ice defeat dropped Dryden’s totals to 5-6-1 for 11 points. And notably, Kam River has three games in hand on Dryden.
The Fighting Walleye also holds games in hand on first place Red Lake and second seed Thunder Bay, having played in two less matches than the 8-2-1 Miners and the 8-3-0 North Stars.
Kam River, with a balanced scoring attack, has five players who are averaging at least a point per game through nine outings — Alex Enegren (5-7-12), Ethan Lang (6-4-10), Jeremy Dunmore (3-7-10), Trenton Morriseau (3-6-9) and Carson Gorst (2-7-9). The Fighting Walleye also features forward Tyler Ralph, who has played in only three games but has three goals, one assist, four points.
Dryden, meanwhile, boasts scoring leader Maxime Collette, who has 12 goals, seven assists, 19 points in 12 games. The Ice Dogs also have a lamp lighter in Tristan Takats, who has five goals, five assists, 10 points in just six games.