THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay under-18 Kings held their own in the opening weekend of Great North Hockey League action at Fort William First Nation Arena with a trio of tightly contested affairs against the defending champion North Bay Trappers.
In the opener, the Kings prevailed 6-4 while the Trappers rebounded to take the final two matchups by 4-3 and 4-2 scores, with the finale decided on a late empty net effort.
Jackson Walker tallied twice in Game 1, while defenceman Charlie Crane chipped in with three assists.
Also finding the back of the net in the triumph were Sam Pierce; Carson Clarke; Owen Trevisanutto and Keegan Weldon, who notched the game-winner.
Picking up the season-opening victory in net was Kainaan MacGillivray.
North Bay responded in Game 2, building up a 4-0 first period cushion before having to withstand a late Thunder Bay push in getting the one-goal result.
Blake Venor; Trevisanutto, on the power play, and Crane were the Kings’ marksmen. Carter Bresolin suffered the setback in goal.
Wrapping things up Sunday morning, the Trappers rallied with the game’s final three markers to pull out the win, led by Brayden Hodges’ two goals and one assist.
Teammates Hayden Roy and Michel Culbert also supplied three points each for the guests.
Michael Figliomeni potted both of Thunder Bay’s tallies, including one on a man advantage.
MacGillivray kept the Kings in it throughout, including outwaiting Drayden Meyer penalty shot before making a sharp pad save with just over four minutes remaining in regulation, prior to the visitors icing it in the waning moments on an empty netter.
Thunder Bay will make their first GNJHL road trip of the season this weekend with a three-game slate against the New Liskeard Cubs at Don Shepherdson Arena Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as one contest versus the U16 North Bay Trappers, Saturday morning at the Powassan Sportsplex.
KINGS GNHL SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Meanwhile the U13 Kings hosted the Fort Frances Canadians for four exhibition tilts at FWFNA and came away with a solid 2-0-2 record.
Thunder Bay began with a 4-3 triumph in the opener, took the second game 5-2 before finishing up with a pair of draws, that ended up 2-2 and 3-3 respectively.
Photo credit: James Mirabelli
