THUNDER BAY – Jordan Elliott’s shutout string had to end at some point.
But a one-goal effort isn’t bad.
Elliott lost a bid for a second straight shutout with just 3:45 to play on Friday night, but his 21-save performance was enough to earn the Thunder Bay North Stars a second straight victory, this one a 3-1 Fort William Gardens triumph over the injury and suspension-depleted Dryden Ice Dogs.
It took a Nic Noseworthy power-play marker late in the third to snap Elliott’s lengthy shutout string at 1:24:05, a streak that stretched more than five full periods.
As North Stars coach Jeremy Adduono said after Wednesday night’s 4-0 win over Fort Frances, it starts from the net out.
“Any good team in any league that wins or has a good chance to win a championship, you need good goaltending,” Adduono said. “There’s no question. It’s in my mind probably the most important, crucial position on the team.”
The veteran bench boss said he’s comfortable with both Elliott and Nathanial Dupuis in net, though it’s nice to see the team cut down on the number of goals allowed, a factor that played a the biggest role in the Stars recent four-game losing slide.
“They’re very capable guys and I’ve got full confidence in them.”
They also had a little help from the post, the Ice Dogs Noseworthy and Tristan Knott clanging a pair off the iron in the final three minutes of the second.
Thunder Bay was led offensively by an unusual source.
Defenceman Jonathan Masters, cut by the Lakehead Thunderwolves last fall in training camp, scored once and added an assist.
The goal, his third of the campaign, came on a hard snap shot from the slot, breaking a scoreless tie nine minutes into the second period.
“I don’t think I’ve been the player I can be out there and the team has definitely been struggling lately. It was nice to get back on my ground and get the team to where it needs to be too,” Masters said.
Adduono was equally pleased.
“I think it was a good statement game for Johnny. There’s no question he’s a heck of a player. He’s got all the tools. He’s got the size and a great shot, can play both ways and play on some special teams,” Adduono said.
“It was a good game for him to raise his confidence level and we hope that he continues to get better because when he’s on his game, he’s a dominant player.”
The North Stars also got a welcome goal from leading scorer Nicholas Nigro, a wrist shot 5:40 into the second that eluded Ice Dogs goalie Patrick Zubick and upped the host team’s lead to 3-0.
For Nigro, his 26th goal snapped a five-game goal-less drought, his longest slump of the season.
“Nic’s a goal scorer and guys like that get frustrated when things aren’t going their way,” Adduono said. “He’s been getting chances, he’s just been snake-bitten a little bit, so I’m happy to see him score and happy to see (Brad) Thrower shoot the puck.
“Those are the guys that we count on. We needed them to step up and they did that.”
Star gazing: The Ice Dogs earlier this week were awarded the 2017 Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Ontario Junior A championship, starting on May 1. The Ice Dogs have an automatic berth, along with the league champion – or finalist should Dryden win the Bill Salonen Cup.
FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: None. Penalties: Giertuga DRY (cross checking) 14:38, Leishman TB (roughing) 17:16.
SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Thunder Bay, Masters 3 (unassisted) 9:09 pp. Penalties: Ziobro DRY, Leishman TB (roughing) 4:27, Allkins DRY (roughing) 8:17.
THIRD PERIOD
Scoring: 2. Thunder Bay, Thrower 15 (Nigro, Parrott) 3:05. 3. Thunder Bay, Nigro 26 (Walsh, Master) 5:40 pp. 4. Dryden, Noseworthy (Knott, Aubin) 16:15 pp. Penalties: Atanas DRY (slashing) 3:53, Minoletti TB (cross checking) 5:48, Atanas DRY (roughing) 12:34, Wolframe TB (high sticking) 15:03, Talakoski TB (slshing) 17:50.
GAME DATA – SOG – Dryden 5-10-7-22, Thunder Bay 13-19-9-41; Power plays (goals-chances) – Dryden (1-3), Thunder Bay (2-3); Goaltenders – Dryden: Patrick Zubick, Thunder Bay: Jordan Elliott; A: 300.
