THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay under-18 Kings saw Ryan Doucette score three times, while Tyler Lewis and Alex Remenda both tallied twice, to help lead their club to an eventual 13-1 decision over their U-16 counterparts Tuesday night in SIJHL Guest Team exhibition action at the Fort William Gardens.
Early pressure by the U-16s, including a man advantage opportunity, saw them create a number of quality chances, but they could not solve U-18 starter Keenan Marks.
Buoyed by that, the elder Kings countered by notching the night’s opening marker when Lewis wheeled out of the corner and put one in from the right circle just over five minutes in.
Building on that, the U-18s tacked on another a couple of shifts later when Jeremy Dunmore put a perfect pass on the tape of Doucette, who quickly whipped a low shot from the slot that eluded U-16 netminer Nathan Krawchuk.
Pressing the pace during a man advantage, the under-18 squad added to their lead midway through the first frame when blueliner McLeod sent a cross-ice feed over to Johnny McCollum who blasted a shot through a crowd in front to make it 3-0.
It was more U-18s before the first was complete as they tacked on two more markers.
Remenda helped send Jouni Kemppainen down the right where converted before Doucette used some crafty stick from in close to deposit his second to help their side go up big heading into the intermission.
Shorthanded to begin the middle session, the U-18s’ Dunmore did a nice spin move in front before wheeling and burying a chance.
Still on the power play though, the U-16s got on the board following a Carter Anton shot from the point that was stopped, but Evan Lachimea was right there to jam in the rebound past a sprawled Marks.
Getting that back, Jack Pineau forced a turnover deep in U-16 territory that allowed Doucette to notch his hat trick as he deftly chopped the puck with one hand over the goalkeeper’s blocker and in.
Heading to the third, Remenda and Pineau clicked on the power play to add to the U-18 offensive totals.
Another extra-man marker from Remenda and a pair at even strength off the sticks of Josh Lehto and Lewis helped continue the onslaught.
A final man advantage goal from McLeod finished off the one-sided result.
Shots on goal finished 47-25 with the U-18s holding the edge.
Marks got the win while Krawchuk suffered the setback with Kolton Bourret entering in relief, playing the final 16 minutes.
The clubs will complete their pre-Christmas slate Wednesday night in an 8:15 p.m. start back at the Gardens.
