Game Preview: Kingston vs. London
The Kingston Frontenacs (21-21-1-1) hit the ice for a second consecutive night at Leon’s Centre for a Western Conference battle with the London Knights (29-13-1-0) tonight at 7:00 pm. The Black and Gold sit two points up on Hamilton in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and third in the East Division in the race for playoff positioning. The Knights are 3-0-0-0 in Kingston over the past five seasons making their first visit in just under two calendar years.
Ottawa Senators prospect Ben Roger played as a member of the Knights before a 2020 trade to Kingston and plays his first game against his old team today, with only World Junior Team Canada member Brett Brochu remaining on London’s roster since the teams last squared off on Feb 15, 2020, in a 7-5 London victory at Leon’s Centre. No skaters for the Fronts were active in the last matchup.
Rookie goalie Mason Vaccari improved his save percentage by allowing only one goal against in his last start, and now has the third-highest save percentage (.908) amongst netminders with at least 17 appearances for Kingston. In his previous four appearances, Vaccari has allowed just five goals on 98 shots for a 1.57 goals-against average.
Defenceman Nolan Ling played his first OHL game with Kingston versus the Generals on Friday night after a midweek call-up by General Manager Kory Cooper. The Oshawa, On native had toiled with the Cobourg Cougars and Toronto Patriot this season of the OJHL before his OHL debut.
The Midwest Division-leading Knights carry a 15-4-0-0 record away from London with a 2-1 shootout win over Ottawa last night (Friday). The win gave London its first in three games and one of three in their previous eight games overall. Rookies Oliver Bonk and Easton Cowan are tied for fourth in freshmen points (28), with Bonk’s 12 goals tied for fifth most amongst first-year players. Former Bulldog George Diaco paces the Knights with 52 points and goals (20).
Powerplay:
KGN: (32/153) 20.9% – (14th OHL) – 4 SHGA
LDN: (34/162) 21.0% – (13th OHL) – 8 SHGA
Penalty Kill:
KGN: (117/152) 77.0% – (15th OHL) – 3 SHGF (10.61 pen mins/game – 17th most OHL
LDN: (132/164) 80.5% – (5th OHL) – 6 SHGF (12.84 pen mins/game – 2nd most OHL
Fronts Notes:
- D Nolan Ling (selected 1st round of 2022 U18 OHL Priority Selection) – OHL Debut Jan 27 for KGN
- 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.
- D Tommy Budnick – pts in 4 of last 5 (1G,4A)
- G Mason Vaccari – Reigning OHL Goaltender of the Week – Third overall OHL Save percentage (.908) min 17 GP
- F Gabriel Frasca – T-10th OHL Rookie pts (23), 7th Rookie Assists (15)
Team Stat Pack – G.P. (44) (21-21-1-1) 44 pts
Leaders:
Goals –Soto, Thibodeau (13), Miedema (11), Outwater (10)
PPG – Ludwinski, Soto (5), Miedema (3)
Assists – Soto (23), Miedema (22), Ludwinski (21)
PPA – Hemström (10), Burns (9), Outwater (7)
Points –Soto (36), Miedema (33), Ludwinski, Outwater, Hemström (28)
PPP – Ludwinski, Soto (11), Burns, Hemström (10)
SOG –Thibodeau (84), Soto (80), Outwater (75)
Plus/Minus –Burns (+6), Miedema (+5), McGowan (+4)
PIMs – Burns (77), Budnick (52), Uens (41)
On The Front:
Join the Black and Gold for Pride Night, the next home game, on Feb 3 at 7:00 pm, at Leon’s Centre, as the team drops the puck on a three-game in three-day stretch with an East Division showdown with the Peterborough. The Fronts hit the road for back-to-back nights on Sat, Feb 4, at 7:30 pm against the Barrie Colts and Sun, Feb 5, at 4:00 pm in North Bay versus the Battalion.
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!
