Kings ready to commence NAPHL play

HUNDER BAY – After going 7-1 in preseason play, the Thunder Bay major midget Kings are set to commence North American Prospects Hockey League competition, along with their minor midget Kings counterparts, over the next number of days at the Schwan Super Rinks in Blaine, Minn.

The 2019 TELUS Cup host under-18 Kings will open up NAPHL action Thursday at 11:15 a.m. as they take on the Indy Fuel of Indiana.

Friday sees the squad face-off with the Metro Southwest Lakers at 9 p.m. while Saturday’s slate has the Metro Northwest Giants providing the opposition at 5 p.m.

The Minnesota Magicians will round out the U-18 Kings schedule Sunday at 2:15 p.m.

As for the minor midgets, the under-16 side also begins Thursday when they tangle with the U-16 Metro Northwest Giants from Minneapolis at 7 p.m.

Friday has them taking on the Northwest Blue Ox at 5:15 p.m. before going up against the Minnesota Walleye Saturday at 1:15 p.m.

They will then wrap-up the weekend with a 2:15 p.m. encounter Sunday vs. the Minnesota Magicians.

All NAPHL contests are streamed live and on demand online at HockeyTV.com.

WEEKEND RECAP: The major midget Kings capped off a four-game road trip Sunday in Hermantown, Minn., with two more victories by blanking Team Copper Country of Michigan 4-0 before clipping the Duluth Northern Wings 6-1.

Jordan Smith made 16 saves to post the shutout for Thunder Bay while Gareth Aegard and Mackenzie Sedgwick scored on the power play and Trenton Morriseau struck shorthanded and added another at even strength to account for the goal scorers.

In the triumph over Duluth, Sedgwick and Morriseau supplied man-down markers for the Kings.

Also tallying in the win were Nicholas DeGrazia, Travis Hensrud, Mason Bazaluk and Nikolas Campbell.

Shots on goal in the contest were 30-17 in favour of Thunder Bay with netminder Eric Vanska recording the victory.