Kings clip Kenora in OT of midget districts opener

ENORA – Nicholas DeGrazia’s second goal of the game, coming on a partial breakaway, six minutes into overtime was the difference as the Thunder Bay major midget Kings pulled out a 5-4 victory over the rival Kenora Thistles Friday in Game 1 of the Hockey Northwestern Ontario AAA District Championship.

After a scoreless first frame, Thunder Bay tallied twice in the second stanza to go up by a pair compliments of DeGrazia and Christian Veneruzzo.

The Thistles battled back with one before the session was complete, then drew level early in the third on a power play marker.

Peter Hannula put the Kings back in front after that, only to see Kenora strike twice with an even strength goal and one on a four-on-three man advantage to go up 4-3.

Regrouping, Thunder Bay forced extra time with 1:47 left in regulation as Trenton Morriseau buried a cross-ice feed to level the proceedings late.

In OT, it was DeGrazia that broke free and ended it by notching his second of the night to give the Kings the road victory in the series opener.

Thunder Bay out shot Kenora 54-29 on the night with Eric Vanska picking up the win in net for the Kings who went 0-2 with the power play while the Thistles were 3-7.

Game 2 in the best-of-five goes Saturday back in Kenora at 2 p.m. ET.