AUBURN — The Twin City Thunder couldn’t generate second-chance opportunities Saturday afternoon in a 2-0 loss to the South Shore Kings in USPHL NCDC action at Norway Savings Bank Arena.

“A lot of one-and-dones, unfortunately,” Hodge said. “In the second period, we missed the net a lot. We had a lot of opportunities, but we missed wide. We didn’t get a lot through. Overall, it’s positive, the guys worked hard.”

Kings goalie Adam Stevenson stopped all 22 shots he faced.

“The guys played well in front of me,” Stevenson said. “Forwards, (defensemen), everyone. (Defense) made some huge blocked shots. It was a cumulative effort and I am super grateful for how well they played in front of me.”

Twin City Thunder goalie Michael Calabret impressed in his debut — after getting a call-up from the Thunder’s 18U affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia, the Twin City Ice Mavericks — stopping 34 shots.

“That’s a lot of shots for a first-time game,” Hodge said. “He played really well.”

The first period opened up with the teams going end-to-end, trading chances for the first 10 minutes.

“I think everybody got tired, three games in two-and-half days,” Hodge said. “It kind of sunk in after that point, but both teams worked hard and there’s a reason why they are second place in our division.”

The teams split the opening two games of the weekend series, with the Kings winning 3-2 on Thursday and the Thunder recording a 3-0 shutout on Friday.

South Shore (21-6-2, 44 points) started to gain possession time and put shots on Calabret.

Thunder forward Cole Roenick tried to change the momentum when he dropped the gloves with Thomas Delfarno off a faceoff in the Thunder zone nearly 13 minutes into the game. The spirited bout saw both players get a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

Kings coach Tyler Holske said the fight also energized the Kings.

The Kings remained in Twin City’s (7-16-2, 16 points) zone and got rewarded when Calabret kicked a rebound from a Salvarte Cerrato shot into the slot and Hunter Bruce sent the puck into the net 17:54 into the period.

“We took the puck to the net and it was something we talked about after reviewing yesterday’s game, was getting pucks to the net and getting those second, third chances,” Holske said. “Credit to Hunter Bruce for getting to the net and, obviously, made a great shot there.”

South Shore had a power play carry into the second period and Karim Gayfullin pushed the Kings’ lead to 2-0 just 21 seconds into the frame when the puck deflected off a Thunder player into the net.

“We didn’t get a lot of time this week to work on special teams,” Holske said. “With the break, we were off close to two weeks and we knew it would take a bit of time to get back.”

Xavier Vallencourt recorded his second assist on the goal.

Besides two Thunder partial breakaways, the Kings hemmed in Twin City in its own end for most of the second period.

In the third period, each time Twin City attempted a shot, South Shore quickly cleared the zone.

“Give the goalie credit, he plays really well, and we had opportunities,” Hodge said. “I told the guys, ‘We had a lot of opportunities, we just didn’t finish.'”

The Thunder called a timeout with under two minutes remaining but couldn’t get a grade-A scoring opportunity.

“It was a bit of a battle at the end,” Stevenson said. “They are a great team, and they made a push at the end, but my team stood strong. It was a great feeling.

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