TORONTO, Ont. – Thunder Bay Kings fell to 0-3 at the all-Ontario peewee championship in Toronto after dropping a 4-0 decision to the Soo Thunderbirds Tuesday afternoon.
Sault Ste. Marie forced a turnover in Thunder Bay territory to notch the game’s opening goal nine minutes into the contest as a Nathan Palmer shot was knocked in from close range by Bryan Fenlon, who shovelled the puck past Kings’ netminder Oliver Tuchenhagen.
Striking late in second, the T-Birds tacked on another with Fenlon feeding an open Devin Mauro in close who one-timed a quick shot past Tuchenhagen with 36 seconds left in the session.
The Soo added another three minutes into the third from Nathan Palmer, off a goal-mouth scramble, to go up by three.
A shot from inside the blueline went wide, but bounced off the end boards to a waiting Calem Mangone, who put the puck into the open side during a man advantage, to extend the T-Birds cushion with 3:33 to go and round out the scoring.
Ari Merlino posted the shutout for the Thunderbirds with Tuchenhagen suffering the setback in net for Thunder Bay.
Earning player of the game laurels were Merlino for the Soo and Max Buffone of the Kings.
Next up for Thunder Bay is a pair of games Wednesday against Greater Toronto Hockey League competition.
First up will be the Toronto Jr. Canadiens at 10:45 a.m. before they conclude the day vs. the host Don Mills Flyers at 4 p.m.