THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay under-13 and U18 Kings were crowned Hockey Northwestern Ontario AAA District champions Saturday after both completing two-game sweeps over the Kenora Thistles.
Game action for the U13s saw Thunder Bay skate to 6-0 and 6-2 victories to claim the HNO title and punch their ticket to the All-Ontarios, April 17-20, which will be hosted by the Vaughan Kings of the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
As for the U18s, they bounced Kenora 11-3 in the opener Friday before staving off a resilient Thistles’ side 3-2 in overtime a day later to take the series.
With the HNO championship secured, they will now shift their focus to the TELUS Cup West Regional, April 4-7, in Winnipeg, Man.
There Thunder Bay will take on either the Saskatoon Blazers or Regina Pat Canadians, who are vying for Saskatchewan U18 AAA supremacy, as well as the Brandon Wheat Kings and host Winnipeg Wild.
Saskatoon leads their best-of-five final 2-0, following a 4-1 win at home Friday, and a 4-3 overtime triumph on the road Sunday.
Brandon was also victorious on home ice to commence the best-of-five Manitoba championship, topping Winnipeg 5-2 on Friday, then winning 4-1 in Winnipeg Sunday.
With the Wild hosting the West Regional, they and the Wheat Kings are both guaranteed a spot in the upcoming four-team event.
Awaiting the regional winner will be a berth to the TELUS Cup Canadian U18 AAA Championship, April 22-28, in Membertou, N.S.
As for Thunder Bay’s U15 Kings, they earned a direct trip to the provincial championship, April 17-20, hosted by the Ottawa Valley Titans in Stittsville, Ont.
Also, the U16 Kings are of to Toronto today for the OHL Cup tournament.
They open-up on-ice action Monday at 11:30 a.m. against the Huron-Perth Lakers.
That will be followed up with a 5:15 p.m. match-up versus the Upper Canada Cyclones.
From there, the U16s will take on the North York Rangers Tuesday, then conclude round robin competition Wednesday vs. the Oshawa Generals. Both those games are slated for 11:45 a.m.
Kings schedule pages
OHL Cup
UPCOMING GAMES
Monday, March 25
U16: vs. Huron-Perth Lakers 11:30 a.m. (Scotiabank Pond)
U16: vs. T.B.D. Wildcard Team 5:15 p.m. (Scotiabank Pond)
Tuesday, March 26
U16: vs. North York Rangers 11:45 a.m. (Scotiabank Pond)
Wednesday, March 27
U16: vs. Oshawa Generals 11:45 a.m. (Scotiabank Pond)
TELUS CUP WEST REGIONAL
@ Winnipeg, Man. (Hockey For All Centre)
All times ET
Thursday, April 4
U18: vs. Winnipeg Wild 9:10 p.m.
Friday, April 5
U18: vs. Saskatoon Blazers or Regina Pat Canadians 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 6
U18: vs. Brandon Wheat Kings 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 7
Final
U18: 2nd round robin vs. 1st round robin 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17
U13: vs. Vaughan Kings 10 a.m. (Westwood Arena)
U15: vs. Ottawa Valley Titans 10 a.m. (Cardel Recreation Centre)
U13: vs. Hockey Eastern Ontario 4 p.m. (Westwood Arena)
U15: vs. Alliance 4 p.m. (Cardel Recreation Centre)
Thursday, April 18
U13: vs. GTHL 2 p.m. (Westwood Arena)
U15: vs. Ottawa Myers Automotive 2 p.m. (Cardel Recreation Centre)
Friday, April 19
U13: vs. NOHA 2 p.m. (Westwood Arena)
U15: vs. OMHA 12 p.m. (Cardel Recreation Centre)
Saturday, April 20
U13: vs. OMHA 8 a.m. (Westwood Arena)
U15: vs. GTHL 10 a.m. (Cardel Recreation Centre)
U13: vs. Alliance 4 p.m. (Westwood Arena)
U15: vs. NOHA 6 p.m. (Cardel Recreation Centre)
Sunday, April 21
U13: vs. Medal round games T.B.A. (Westwood Arena)
U15: vs. Medal round games T.B.A. (Cardel Recreation Centre)
Photo credits: James Mirabelli
Hockey
U18 Roster Announcement
