KENORA – The Thunder Bay under-18 Kings 2024-25 season came to a close over the weekend after being eliminated at the TELUS Cup West Regional in Kenora.
In all, the Kings finished with a 1-2 record, defeating the Hockey Northwestern Ontario district title holders and host Kenora Thistles 2-1, before being edged 6-4 by the Winnipeg Wild and bounced 8-0 by the eventual regional champion Regina Pat Canadians.
Outscoring their opponents 25-2 overall, Regina was led by highly-touted prospect, Maddox Schultz, who just turned 15 in mid-March.
He had a hat trick in the 7-1 victory in the final versus the Wild to lead the four-team event in scoring with 10 points.
Schultz also had a combined 115 points, in 54 games, during the regular season and playoffs to power his club to a Saskatchewan U18 AAA League crown.
The Pat Canadians now advance to the TELUS Cup national U18 AAA championship, April 21-27, in Chilliwack, B.C.
As for the Kings, in the triumph against Kenora. special teams were pivotal as Nathan Allan struck shorthanded while Aiden Edwards notched the eventual game-winner, via the power play, deep in regulation.
Nick Webb made 31 saves in net to collect the win, while Kayo Lake made a couple of key stops in a late relief stint.
In the match-up with Winnipeg, Thunder Bay jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on tallies by Landen Hanson and Layton Hanson.
However, the Wild countered with a trio of markers to carry a lead into the third period.
Countering, the Kings clicked twice to go back in front as Allan and Layton Hanson both scored.
But Winnipeg answered with three goals in the late going, including one into an empty net, to complete the come from behind victory.
Lake was peppered with 60 shots-against in defeat.
Wrapping up the campaign in the setback versus the Pat Canadians, Lake was once again pelted with plenty of rubber, seeing another 64 attempts fired his way in a contest that saw Regina go 5-6 on the power play.
At the West Regional banquet, Lake was named the event’s Most Dedicated Athlete award recipient.
Meanwhile, former Kings’ netminder Brady Cates garnered top goaltender accolades for his efforts between the pipes with the Thistles.
GAME SUMMARIES
vs. Kenora
vs. Winnipeg
vs. Regina
Photo credit: Hockey Northwestern Ontario
