The Ice Dogs trailed behind the Fort Frances Lakers for most of the game but managed to net the winning goal in OT and take round #1 in the best-of-seven semifinal match-up in a 4-3 decision.

The Lakers opened the scoring seven minutes in but Chad Liley would tie the game in the last minute of the first period.

The Lakers would again take the lead halfway through the second but the Ice Dogs would respond less than a minute later with a goal from Justin Lightfoot.

The Lakers scored their third of the night three minutes into the third but the Ice Dogs would again tie the game less than a minute later with a beautiful goal from Ben McClellan.

The game headed to overtime and with just 1 min 25 seconds left on the clock, Ben McClellan netted his second of the night.

The Ice Dogs and the Lakers will face off again in round #2 on Friday, March 19.

In other SIJHL news, the Fort William North Stars beat out the Sioux Lookout Flyers 5-2 in their second game of the best-of-seven semifinal. The North Stars lead that series 2-0.

The DHS Eagles girls’ hockey team are going into game #3 of their three-game semifinal against the Thomas Aquinas Saints.

The Eagles put away the Saints in round one with a convincing 5-1 win. The Saints came back with a vengeance, earning a 3-1 win over the Eagles, giving them their third loss of the season.

Action starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Dryden Memorial Arena.

On the boys side, the Eagles ousted the Broncos in two straight games to earn their spot in the NorWOSSA final against the Fort Frances Muskies.

The boys down the Broncos 6-2 in Kenora on Friday, Feb. 26 in a come from behind win. The boys held off on Sunday, Feb. 28 to beat the Broncos 2-1.

The team is in Fort Frances on Friday, March 5 for round one against the Muskies. They’re back in Dryden Sunday, March 7 for game two.