Panthers take bite out of Thistles at U13s

THUNDER BAY – The Sun County Panthers were all business Saturday as they took a bite out of the Kenora Thistles, defeating them 11-1 in round robin play at the All-Ontario under-13 AAA championship, presented by BioSteel, at the Fort William Gardens.

Gianluca McClure and Tyson Berbari staked the Panthers to an early two-goal cushion before Drake Bodnar got one back for the Thistles, via the power play, at 6:37.

It was all Sun County after that however as they tacked on four more to go up 6-1 after one period of play.

Notching those markers were Brody Brown and Cole Coristine, while Matthew Taylor supplied a pair.

Adding three more in the middle frame, Alex West collected a couple and Hunter Beckham had the other.

Finishing off the one-side result in the third were Brown early and Coristine, late.

BioSteel Player of the Game recognition went to the Panthers’ John Montanino and the Thistles’ Bodnar.

Sun County wraps up the round robin with a 3-2-1 record and no await the results of the final two games to see who their semifinal opponent will be Sunday.

As for Kenora, their season comes to a close, after finishing 0-6 in the seven-team event.

Photo credit: James Mirabelli