BLAINE, Minn. – Both of the Thunder Bay Kings teams competing in the North American Prospects Hockey League came away victorious Saturday as each squad picked up wins in Blaine, Minn.
Thunder Bay’s major midgets defeat the Metro Northwest Green Giants 5-2 in under-18 competition while the minor midget Kings rallied for a 3-2 triumph over the Minnesota Walleye in U-16 play.
Nicholas DeGrazia had a big day for the U-18 Kings as he supplied a third-period natural hat trick, including the game-winner, and an assist for a four-point afternoon.
Nikolas Campbell and Gareth Aegard had the other markers in the victory while Travis Hensrud doled out a trio of assists.
Earning the decision in net for Thunder Bay was Jordan Smith.
In the minor midgets win against the Walleye, Jack Michaelis put the Kings in front 44 seconds in only to see Minnesota knot the affair before the first period was complete.
The Walleye then went in front with the lone marker of the middle session.
Battling back in the third, Michaelis notched his second of the day early in the third.
They then got the game-winner from defenceman Jack Cook with six minutes remaining in regulation.
Gage Stewart earned the decision in net for Thunder Bay.
Both Kings’ clubs will wrap-up Round 1 in NAPHL action Sunday with the majors meeting the Minnesota Blizzard while the minor midgets take on the Minnesota Magicians in a pair of 2:15 p.m. starts.
All NAPHL games are streamed live and on demand at HockeyTV.com.
