The Dryden GM Ice Dogs knew before puck drop what they had to do to secure first in the Dudley Hewitt Cup and they answered the call.
It wasn’t their best effort in a 2-1 loss against rival Thunder Bay but the Dogs secured a bye into Saturday’s Central Canadian Junior Hockey Championship.
The North Stars needed to win the game by three goals to force another tiebreaker but couldn’t mount an attack against an Ice Dogs defence that blocked shots at will and clamped down when they needed.
Malcolm Huemmert scored Dryden’s lone goal for the Dogs, who were robbed on several occasions by Brandon Bodnar.
Landon Pavlisin was once again sensational in between the pipes.
The team will rest Friday and heal some bumps and bruises.
The North Stars will face Wellington in the Friday Semi-Final.
