DRYDEN, Ont. – Just call Ted Davis Mr. Clutch.
The Dryden Ice Dogs forward on Saturday night scored the equalizer with 2:51 to go in regulation, then potted the overtime winner midway through the first extra period, delivering a 3-2 Game 1 triumph over the Thunder Bay North Stars in the Superior International Junior Hockey League championship round.
Jacen Bracko, the SIJHL most valuable player, scored Dryden’s other goal, the lone score of the opening period, to give the Ice Dogs a 1-0 lead that stood up until six minutes into the second, when Owen Belisle netted his first of the post-season for the visiting North Stars.
Thunder Bay took the lead 2:09 later, captain Bradley Thrower firing it past Dryden goaltender Landon Pavlisin, who made 37 saves on the night.
Brandon Bodnar was good on 39 of 42 shots he faced.
Game 2 is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday. The series shifts to Thunder Bay on Tuesay and Wednsday for Games 3 and 4.
Both teams have secured spots in the Dudley Hewitt Cup, which the Ice Dogs will host.
