Game Preview: Kingston vs. London
In a Western Conference swing, the Kingston Frontenacs (25-34-1-2) begin three consecutive days of action on the road with a matchup against the London Knights (42-19-2-0) tonight at 7 pm at Budweiser Gardens. It marks just the fourth time the teams have played in London over the past five years, with tonight being the first time Kingston visits London since Oct 19, 2019. The Black and Gold enter action one-point back of 8th-place Oshawa Generals in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference push for post-season play. Kingston, who has one more regulation win the Oshawa, has played one fewer game than the Gennies and will take on Ottawa 67’s tonight at home.
After going +1 with two shots-on-goal playing in his first game against old teammates during the matchup on Jan 28 in Kingston, former Knight defenceman Ben Roger will make his debut on London ice for his new team. The 138 OHL-game veteran, Ottawa Senators prospect, was traded to Kingston on Nov 25, 2021. Assistant captain Alec Belanger has points in four straight contests (2G,3A), earning team player-of-the-week status.
The Knights took the first matchup in the two-game season series at Leon’s Centre on Jan 28 with a 3-2 shootout victory. A seesaw battle had the Knights open the scoring with Kingston’s Ethan Miedema setting up a 1-1 third period that saw London take a second lead before Maddox Callens gave the Fronts a 2-2 tie with 45 seconds remaining in regulation. It marked a second goal in two games versus London for the NHL-ranked prospect Miedema, who scored while a member of the Windsor Spitfires before a trade to Kingston. Linus Hemstrom and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Paul Ludwinski recorded multi-point games on a pair of assists each, with Hemstrom adding to a now 11 games with two-or-more points during his rookie OHL campaign.
London’s George Diaco would be the only shooter to beat the goaltenders in the Jan 28th shootout to give the homeside the extra point. Diaco is one of six 20+ goal scorers for the league’s 8th overall goal-scoring team. Both Brett Brochu (second star) and Fronts’ Ivan Zhigalov were splendid, with Zhigalov making 37 saves in a third-star performance.
Powerplay:
KGN: (37/215) 17.2% – (19th OHL) – 10 SHGA (season series – (1/3)
LDN: (51/236) 21.6% – (11th OHL) – 11 SHGA (season series – (1/5)
Penalty Kill:
KGN: (165/213) 75.6% – (17th OHL) – 4 SHGF (10.48 pen mins/game – 4th least OHL)
LDN: (196/247) 72.1% – (6th OHL) – 14 SHGF (12.78 pen mins/game – 19th least in OHL)
Fronts Notes:
- Kingston Frontenacs Hockey Club officially bid to host the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Kia
- F Owen Outwater – pts in four straight gms (3G,1A)
- F/D Alec Belanger – pts in four straight gms (2G,3A)
- F Chris Thibodeau – pts in three straight gms (4A)
- F Paul Hughes – 100th career game on Mar10 v PBO
Team Stat Pack – G.P. (62) (25-34-1-2) 53 pts
Leaders:
Goals –Thibodeau, Outwater (15), Miedema, Frasca, Soto, Callens (13)
PPG – Ludwinski, Soto (5), Miedema (4)
Assists – Miedema (29), Hemström (28), Ludwinski (25)
PPA – Hemström (12), Burns (9), Outwater (8)
Points – Miedema (42), Hemström (38), Outwater (37)
PPP – Ludwinski (12), Hemström (12), Soto (11)
SOG –Thibodeau (121), Miedema (110), Hemström (106)
Plus/Minus – Brooks (+2), Lemieux (+1)
PIMs – Burns (96), Budnick (64), Uens (50)
On The Front:
The Frontenacs continue a three-day road swing against the Sarnia Sting Saturday, Mar 18, at 7:05 pm. The trip ends with a visit to Kitchener to take on former Front Francesco Arcuri and the Rangers Sun, Mar 19 at 2 pm. The Black and Gold return to Leon’s Centre for an East Division battle against the Oshawa Generals on Wed, Mar 22, at 7 pm, for the second-last home regular season game.
96.3 Big FM and 104.3 Fresh Radio are your exclusive home for play-by-play with Jim Gilchrist and Kingston Frontenacs Hockey! Fans can listen live to all the games at https://frontenacs.leanplayer.com/. Fans can also tune into the game at https://watch.chl.ca/ (subscription needed).
Fans are encouraged to follow the team’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media channels for live updates.
