BLAINE, Minn. – Matthew DeRosa’s second goal of the game, coming 45 seconds into overtime, completed a Connecticut Elite rally as the came back to defeat the Thunder Bay minor midget Kings 5-4 in North American Prospects Hockey League under-16 division action Friday in Blaine, Minn.
Thunder Bay opened the scoring with the lone tally of the first period thanks to a Travis Hensrud power play effort at 6:35.
The Kings then went up 2-0 just past the four-minute mark of the middle stanza with Michael Goegan collecting his first NAPHL goal.
However, Connecticut countered with a couple of quick strikes to tie things up as Nick Kaye scored at even strength while DeRosa converted during a man advantage opportunity.
Thunder Bay would regain the lead before the middle frame was complete, during a power play chance of their own, thanks to Nikolas Campbell.
The Elite drew level again, 4:17 into the third, when Noah Friedman picked up his club’s second extra man effort of the day.
Dakota Johnson then put Connecticut in front for the first time with five and a half minutes left in regulation.
The Kings did bounce back to force extra time with 3:06 to go when Campbell picked up his second man advantage effort of the contest.
However DeRosa won it early in OT for the Elite to give them the extra point on the day.
Matthew Halushak dished out two assists in the setback for the minor midgets.
Shots on goal in the contest favoured Connecticut by a 31-24 margin with Connor Schultz picking up the win and Stephan Bourgeois the OT loss.
Up next for the U-16 Kings will be a noon match-up Saturday vs. MDHL of Michigan.
All NAPHL games are streamed online at HockeyTV.com.
