TROY, Mich. – The Thunder Bay Kings picked up a pair of victories, against a narrow loss, Saturday in Day 2 of the North American Prospects Hockey League Dixon Cup Silver Division playoffs in Troy, Mich.
Thunder Bay’s major midget squad dropped a close 1-0 decision to California Titans before rebounding with a 3-2 shootout triumph over the Everett Silvertips.
Meanwhile, the minor midget Kings blanked the Titans under-16 side 5-0 in their lone contest of the day, backed by Nikolas Campbell’s five-point game.
Against U-18 California, Thunder Bay outshot the Titans 30-16 but could not solve their goaltender in the setback.
Tyler Verna notched the lone goal of the contest midway through the second period while Mikael Foucher posted the shutout. Jordan Smith suffered the loss in net for the Kings.
Taking on Everett, Thunder Bay once again held a big edge in shots, a 42-17 total, but needed a Jacob Anttonen marker in the shootout to pick-up up the win as he snapped the winner past the Silvertips goalkeeper.
Anttonen and Peter Hannula scored in regulation for the Kings while Seth McKay had the win in net.
They finish up round-robin play Sunday at 1:15 p.m. against the Wenatchee Wolves from Washington State.
In the minor midget match-up, Thunder Bay stormed out to a 3-0 lead after one period of play on a pair of goals and an assist from Campbell on a Matthew Halushak tally in the frame.
Campbell then helped set-up Nicholas DeGrazia in the middle session and Michael Goegan in the third to cap off his impressive performance.
Stephan Bourgeois stopped all 17 shots he faced to record the shutout.
Awaiting the U-16 Kings Sunday will be the Connecticut Elite at 7 a.m. before they finish up with the Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres at 5 p.m.
