Junior hockey returns to the Dryden and Ear Falls-Red Lake area this weekend.
A new SIJHL begins Friday, with the GM Ice Dogs hosting Thunder Bay and the Miners battling Minnesota.
Dogs Coach Kurt Walsten is excited about the start of a new campaign, noting they are bigger and faster this year.
Walsten says they are anxious to get going and is hoping for a big crowd.
He notes they have been working on all aspects of the game and believes his team is ready to play.
Walsten says their strength this year will be on the back-end, with five returning defenceman.
The team has been busy in the community during the weeks leading up to opening day.
Game time is 7:30 at the Memorial Arena.
English River is a second team that didn’t play an exhibition game, so questions remain on both sides.
Coach Derek Sweet-Coulter says they need to stay even keel and notes players have to prepare and adjust to some mistakes.
Sweet-Coulter says he’s looking forward in seeing where they stack up against the opposition but notes it will be a feeling out process.
Puck-drop is 7:00 in Ear Falls.
