THUNDER BAY – The North Bay Trappers broke open a low-scoring game by notching three unanswered third period tallies to defeat the Thunder Bay Kings 4-0 Monday evening in Day 1 action at all-Ontario AAA bantam championship at the Fort William Gardens.
The Northern Ontario Hockey Association champion Trappers picked up the eventual game-winner with 1:21 left in the first period on an unassisted Joe Jordan effort.
After a scoreless middle session, North Bay broke it open in the third by striking three times in under a six-minute span to secure the victory.
Cameron Pariseau made it 2-0 early in the final frame before Nat Lalonde upped the Trappers cushion at 7:29.
Eric Lafontaine capped off the offensive outburst 39 seconds later to round out the night’s scoring helping his side improve to 2-0 early in round robin competition.
Reece Proulx turned aside all 22 shots he faced to post the shutout.
Connor Lemieux saw 18 attempts in defeat for Thunder Bay.
Earning player of the game honours were Pacey Schlueting for North Bay and Nikolas Campbell for the Kings.
Next up for 0-1-1 Thunder Bay will be a 4 p.m. match-up Tuesday against the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario branch champion Cambridge Hawks.
Thunder Bay Kings all-Ontario AAA bantam championship schedule
All games at the Fort William Gardens
Monday, March 27
Kings 1 Ottawa Jr. 67’s (HEO) 1
North Bay Trappers (NOHA) 4 Kings 0
Tuesday, March 28
Kings vs. Cambridge Hawks (Alliance) 4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 29
Kings vs. Toronto Marlboros (GTHL) 1 p.m.
Fort Frances Canadians (HNO) vs. Kings 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 30
York-Simcoe Express (OMHA) vs. Kings 6 p.m.
Friday, March 31
Semifinal 1: 4th round robin vs. 1st round robin 9 a.m.
Semifinal 2: 3rd round robin vs. 2nd round robin 11:30 a.m.
Bronze Medal Game: 5:30 p.m.
Gold/Silver Medal Game: 8 p.m.
