Both the Thunder Bay under-13 and U18 Kings will take to the ice at home this weekend, against the rival Kenora Thistles, in the Hockey Northwestern Ontario AAA District Championships, at Fort William First Nation Arena.
The best-of-three affairs will commence Friday at FWFNA, with the U13 contest beginning at 4:30 p.m., followed by the U18 match-up at 7 p.m.
Saturday will feature the same start times for the two games.
If necessary, third and deciding contests would go Sunday, with the U13s meeting at 10 a.m. and the U18s going at 12:30 p.m.
Awaiting for the U13 district winner will be a berth in the All-Ontario event, April 17-20, in Vaughan.
As for the U18 HNO title holder, they will advance to the TELUS Cup West Regional, April 4-7, in Winnipeg, Man.
With the U15 Kings facing no challenger for the HNO crown, they’ve earned a direct place to the provincial championship, in their age bracket, which goes April 17-20, in Ottawa.
Meanwhile, Thunder Bay’s under-16 squad, will head to Toronto for next week’s for the OHL Cup at the Scotiabank Pond.
They’ll begin play Monday at 11:30 a.m. against the Huron-Perth Lakers.
Up next will be a 5:15 p.m. contest versus a yet to be determined wildcard opponent.
From there, the Kings will take on the highly-touted North York Rangers Tuesday at 11:45 a.m., before finishing up round robin competition Wednesday in the same time slot, with a date against the Oshawa Generals.
Kings OHL Cup schedule page
SCHEDULE
Friday, March 22
U13: vs. Kenora Thistles 4:30 p.m. (FWFNA)
U18: vs. Kenora Thistles 7 p.m. (FWFNA)
Saturday, March 23
U13: vs. Kenora Thistles 4:30 p.m. (FWFNA)
U18: vs. Kenora Thistles 7 p.m. (FWFNA)
Sunday, March 24
U13*: vs. Kenora Thistles 10 a.m. (FWFNA)
U18*: vs. Kenora Thistles 12:30 p.m. (FWFNA)
*-if necessary
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)
Photo credit: James Mirabelli
