U18 Kings off to Regina for West Regional

THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay under-18 Kings are off to Regina for the TELUS Cup West Regional, which runs April 2-5.

A stern test awaits the Kings Thursday as they’ll open up against the host Regina Pat-Canadians, who are the defending regional and national title holders, in a 9:40 p.m. ET start.

Friday will see Thunder Bay take on the Winnipeg Bruins, winners of the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League, at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The Moose Jaw Warriors will then provide the opposition Saturday at 1:15 p.m. ET.

Moose Jaw went the distance with Regina in the Saskatchewan U18 final before falling in a fifth and deciding game.

The top two teams in round robin play will then vie for the title Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

The regional winner will move on to compete in the TELUS Cup Canadian U18 AAA championship, April 20-26, in Peterborough, Ont.

NOHL WRAP

Both the U13 and U15 Kings fell in semifinal action in their respective Northern Ontario Hockey League divisional playoff brackets in Sault Ste. Marie over the weekend.

The U13s let a two-goal lead slip away as the North Bay Trappers rallied with a trio of third period tallies to pull out a 5-4 come from behind victory.

Jordan Hanlan, Walker Klug, Cooper Christensen and Aaron Kozrya notched the Thunder Bay markers.

The Trappers did go on to win the U13 crown.

Next came another narrow setback, as they were trimmed 2-1 by the Sudbury Wolves, with Hanlan collecting the lone goal.

The Kings then lost 6-2 to the Soo Jr. Greyhounds as Hanlan scored once again, while Ryder Olynick added the other.

Finishing up their campaign Sunday, the U13s were edged 4-3 by Sudbury in the semis.

A big effort from Christensen saw him provide a hat trick, with Chandon Adduono chipping in with two assists. 

Griffin Courtis and Hudson Landgraff both saw time in net for the club.

As for the U15s, they dropped a 3-2 decision to the eventual champion Jr. Greyhounds to start things off.

Colin McDonald and Alex Simeoni found the back of the net in the loss.

Thunder Bay then went on to be blanked in back-to-back games, falling 3-0 to Sudbury, prior to being shutout 6-0 by North Bay.

Returning to form to close out their round robin slate, the Kings stymied the Timmins Majors 5-0.

A well-balanced attack saw Mathew Koch, Nolan Grennier, Cullen McCormack, Ryder Milani and Lucas Degroot all connect in the triumph.

Maddox Boutette registered the shutout for Thunder Bay.

Meeting the Wolves in the semifinal, the Kings were bounced 6-2.

Milani and Luke Ritson were the goal-getters in defeat.

The Kings still have plenty to play for however as they’ll host the All-Ontario U15 AAA championship, April 9-12, at the Fort William Gardens.

SCHEDULE
TELUS Cup West Regional @ Regina, Sask.
All start times ET

Thursday, April 2
U18: vs. Regina Pat-Canadians 9:40 p.m. (Co-operators Arena)  

Friday, April 3
U18: Winnipeg Bruins 6:30 p.m. (Co-operators Arena)

Saturday, April 4
U18: vs. Moose Jaw Warriors 1:15 p.m. (Co-operators Arena)

Sunday, April 5
U18 Final: 2nd round robin vs. 1st round robin 4:30 p.m. (Co-operators Arena)

Photo credit: James Mirabelli