The race for first place in the Superior International Junior Hockey League is getting tighter following Friday night’s action.

The Dryden GM Ice Dogs moved into the top spot after shutting out the Red Lake Miners 3-0 at the Dryden Memorial Arena. Ice Dogs netminder Saahill Takhar blanked the Miners making 16 stops.

Dryden entered Friday with 15 points, one behind the league-leading Thunder Bay North Stars. The win gives the Ice Dogs 17 points, one more than Thunder Bay and two ahead of the idle Fort Frances Lakers, who have 15. The Lakers have also played one fewer game than Dryden.

That leaves just two points separating the top three clubs in what is shaping up to be a close early-season battle for first place.

The North Stars missed a chance to keep their hold on top spot Friday.

The Kam River Fighting Walleye blanked Thunder Bay 2-0 at the Fort William Gardens. The loss leaves the North Stars with 16 points. Nico Simeoni scored twice in the 3rd period to lead the Walleye attack and his markers came two seconds apart. Sam Moen picked up the shutout making 39 saves.

Kam River entered the night fifth in the standings, so the victory gives the Fighting Walleye an important two points as they try to close the gap on the leaders.

Meanwhile, the Sioux Lookout Bombers produced Friday’s biggest offensive outburst, defeating the Ironwood Lumberjacks 10-3 in Michigan.

Sioux Lookout remains another team to watch in the standings because of the number of games it has in hand. Before Friday, the Bombers had nine points through only eight games, fewer games played than every team except Ironwood.

Friday’s results set up an intriguing Saturday night, with Dryden and Red Lake meeting again in Cochenour while Kam River and Thunder Bay complete their weekend set.