HUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Thunder Bay Kings’ clubs competing against the RINK Academy Nationals from Manitoba at Fort William First Nation Arena over the weekend came away with a victory, a loss and a tie apiece.
After dropping the opener 7-1 Friday evening, the minor midget Kings rebounded with a 2-2 draw Saturday before finishing off with a 5-3 triumph.
As for the Thunder Bay bantam side, they picked a 3-2 shootout win to start off before skating to a 4-4 tie and suffering a 3-2 defeat Saturday.
Minor midget action saw Jouni Kemppainen collect the lone tally for the Kings in the Game 1 meeting vs. RAN with Keenan Marks suffering the loss in a contest in which they were outshot 35-15.
Game 2 saw Gunner Paradis make 27 saves in the 2-2 draw while Brody Stenlund and Jett Mintenko were the Thunder Bay goal scorers.
Finishing up, Jack Pineau tallied twice and set-up another in the Game 3 decision over the Nationals.
Also scoring for the Kings were Mintenko, Kai Vanska and Matt Beazley, with an empty netter.
Chipping in with a couple of assists in the finale was Nolan Height while Paradis made 25 stop in the win.
Next up for the minor midget Kings is the start of North American Prospects Hockey League play this coming week in Blaine, Minn.
As for the bantam Kings, Easton Glousher and Owen Voortman connected for Thunder Bay in the initial meeting vs. RINK, with the latter also notching the difference maker in the shootout, which went through six rounds.
Kings’ goalkeeper Nate Krawchuk was stellar throughout the game and shut the door in extra shots, handling all six attempts he saw in earning the victory.
Game 2’s draw with the Manitoba prep school saw Voortman notch two more tallies while Evan Lachimea and Carter Anton supplied singles.
Patrick Forsythe was in net for the tie.
Finishing up, Lachemia and Voortman were the Thunder Bay marksmen while Krawchuk and Forsythe split duties between the pipes.
The bantams will now gear up for a four-game set in the Minneapolis area against clubs from Minnesota Sept. 19-21.
Photo credit: Bantam Kings
