Game Preview: The Frontenacs are set to host Pride Night at Leon’s Centre
Join the Black and Gold for Pride Night as the Kingston Frontenacs (21-21-1-2) host the Peterborough Petes (25-18-1-2) on Friday night at Leon’s Centre in a big Eastern Division showdown. The Fronts look for a third win in the fifth of the eight-game season series, with the teams facing off in Kingston for the second time of four divisional battles. Kingston (45) sits one point back of Hamilton (46) for third in the East Division and three points up on eighth-place Sudbury (42) in the race for Eastern Conference playoff positioning.
The Black and Gold are coming off a hard-fought 3-2 overtime loss to London last Saturday night and look for consecutive wins over the Petes after a 2-1 victory in Peterborough in the previous matchup on Jan 16. The Fronts took a first-period lead they never relinquished, with Gabriel Frasca netting the opening tally in the first before team points-leader Matthew Soto scored the eventual game-winner in the second frame. Gavin White added the lone Petes goal in a third period which saw third star Mason Vaccari save 16 of 17 shots to seal the two points for the Fronts. Soto also has recorded the most points (4) in the season series versus Peterborough.
The Petes are entering action off a 5-3 home win on Feb 2 for their second victory in three games, but it was only their third in the last seven. It’s been feast or famine lately as Peterborough has given up 22 goals in the four losses, with only five allowed in the three wins over that stretch. On the other side of the puck, the Petes have averaged six goals a game over those seven games. Peterborough leader Tucker Robertson (64) is in the fifth spot in the OHL points race, with teammate Avery Hayes tallying 34 goals to sit in third place in OHL goals while leading the league in powerplay tallies (17). Hayes, traded from Hamilton Bulldogs, has four goals against Kingston, with a pair each coming as a member of the Peters and Bulldogs to pace both clubs against each other. Recently acquired Owen Beck had three goals in two games against Kingston as a Mississauga Steelhead, before being shut down wearing the Maroon and white in the last matchup.
Powerplay:
KGN: (33/156) 21.2% – (13th OHL) – 4 SHGA (season series – 4/18)
PBO: (36/176) 20.5% – (16th OHL) – 3 SHGA (season series – 3/14)
Penalty Kill:
KGN: (121/157) 77.1% – (14th OHL) – 3 SHGF (10.60 pen mins/game – 16th most OHL
PBO: (156/197) 79.2% – (9th OHL) – 7 SHGF (12.63 pen mins/game – 4th most OHL
Fronts Notes:
- Nov 23 – Frontenacs Hockey Club officially announced its bid for rights to host the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Kia
- F Ethan Miedema – played in CHL Prospects Game Jan 25 in B.C.- (1G,2A) – 3 points in last 5 games
- G Mason Vaccari – Named East Division Academic Player of The Month (Jan)
- D Nolan Ling – played first OHL game Jan 27 v OSH
- F Paul Ludwinski – 4 points last 5 games (4A)
Team Stat Pack – G.P. (45) (21-21-1-2) 45 pts (3rd East Division / 7th Eastern Conf / 14th OHL)
Leaders:
Goals –Soto (13), Miedema (12), Thibodeau (11)
PPG – Ludwinski, Soto (5), Miedema (4)
Assists – Ludwinski (23), Soto, Miedema (22)
PPA – Hemström (11), Burns (9), Outwater (8)
Points –Soto (35), Miedema (34), Ludwinski, Hemström (30)
PPP – Ludwinski (12), Hemstrom, Soto (11), Burns (10)
SOG –Thibodeau (84), Soto (80), Outwater (75)
Plus/Minus –Burns (+6), Miedema (+5), McGowan (+4)
PIMs – Burns (77), Budnick (54), Uens (41)
On The Front:
The Frontenacs hit the road for a pair of games to finish a three-game in three days stretch tomorrow, Sat, Feb 4, at 7:30 pm against former assistant captain Braden Hache and the Barrie Colts and Sun, Feb 5, at 4:00 pm in North Bay versus the Battalion. The next home game sees the Oshawa Generals make a visit on Fri, Feb 10, at Leon’s centre at 7:00 pm for Talk Today theme night.
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 social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for live updates!
