ROUND 1, GAME 3: 67’s looking to continue the fight in Kingston, with 2-0 series lead
OTTAWA, ON – After taking the first two games at home, the #3 Ottawa 67’s depart west to clash with the #6 Kingston Frontenacs on Tuesday, March 31st at 7:05 p.m. for Game 3 of the 2026 OHL Playoffs presented by Nissan. Fans can tune in to the game at home via Flo Hockey, or listen to TSN 1200 for play-by-play from Kenny Walls.
After a loose Game 1, the 67’s tightened up defensively, limiting Kingston to just 25 shots in Game 2—including a 15-minute shot drought between the first and second period.
“We definitely expect there to be a lot of energy there,” said goaltender Ryder Fetterolf on playing in Kingston. “Two-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey, two-game lead could be pretty bad if you don’t treat it the right way going to that rink.”
Ryder Fetterolf, who led all OHL starters in save percentage in the regular season, had been entrusted with the starting role for Games 1 and 2, posting an .875 save percentage while looking comfortable as the games went on.
“We’re just gonna keep playing how we (have been),” said Fetterolf. “We’re up two, we know what we are doing.”
The 67’s have had a strong record against Kingston, with a 6-2 record in their eight-game regular season series, and are currently up 2-0. However, Kingston was strong at home with 19 wins in their barn this season, including two against Ottawa.
“This team is not going away,” said Stoykewych. “We have to move forward with a quiet confidence; we are a 100-point team, we are up 2-0, we have taken care of business on the road before in Kingston, and now we have to stick with it.”
Among the players who have thrived in Ottawa so far has been deadline acquisition David Bedkowski. The Buffalo Sabres’ prospect defenseman has picked up two points while providing a presence to the team, both physically and in the locker room.
Bedkowski notably last played in the playoffs while with the Oshawa Generals, leading the team to the finals in 2023-24.
“It continues to come back to me,” said Bedkowski on his memories and lessons from that run.
“There are tons of little things that continue to come up, but the biggest thing is just being able to control your emotions,” he said. “Discipline is a huge thing,” said Bedkowski. “We can’t be taking too many penalties.”
Cooper Foster, who led the team in points in the regular season, has been off to a strong start in the playoffs, sitting at a point-per-game. He enters the game after being declared one of the four nominees for the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year according to a vote of the league’s general managers.
The one area the 67’s have struggled with early on has been that factor, giving Kingston eight-man advantages over the first two games. The penalty kill has bailed the team out so far, only letting one in, but riding that line without stepping over it will be something that the team will look to work on over the next two games in Kingston.
Last game saw the re-emergence of Alex McLean, the Frontenacs’ regular-season points leader, as a threat, with a goal and an assist.
Additionally, imports Tomas Pobezal and Alex Misiak have remained consistent players offensively.
In net, the Frontenacs are likely to go with Matthew Minchak, who came in relief for Game 1 and 2 starter Gavin Betts on Friday. Minchak has yet to let in a goal in the series, stopping 17 of 17 in relief. However, the 19-year-old netminder has averaged a 3.75 goals against average and a .897 save percentage against Ottawa in the regular season.
As for Ottawa, they could continue to ride with Fetterolf, or could give him a rest and opt for Jaeden Nelson, who has remained just as reliable in the regular season. Nelson has averaged 2.00 goals against and a .918 save percentage over three games against Kingston this season.
Capital connections:
The Frontenacs roster boasts a few players from Eastern Ontario, including Kieren Dervin (Gloucester), Matthew Frost (Orleans),
The team also features former Ottawa 67’s forward Jack Dever.
By the numbers
| Ottawa 67’s | Player | Total |
| Goals | Filip Ekberg | 2 |
| Assists | Kohyn Eshkawkogan | 5 |
| Points | Kohyn Eshkawkogan | 5 |
| Power play goals | Thomas Vandenberg | 2 |
| +/- | Spencer Bowes | 3 |
| Kingston Frontenacs | Player | Total |
| Goals | Nolan Snyder | 1 |
| Assists | Jack Dever | 1 |
| Points | Riley Clark | 2 |
| Power play goals | Aleks Kulemin | 1 |
| +/- | Matthew Frost | 2 |
