Game Preview: Kingston at Oshawa

The Kingston Frontenacs (26-38-1-2) wrap up their 2022-23 season against the Oshawa Generals (26-35-1-5) at 6:05 pm at Tribute Communities Centre. Tonight marks the eighth game of the season series, with Kingston holding a 5-2-0-0 record over their East Division rival.

Looking to improve a 13-19-1-0 record away from Leon’s Centre, the Fronts took a 7-5 win in their last visit to Oshawa on Dec 28, tying for the highest combined goal total in a game on the season, winning the previous two games over their divisional counterparts. Both teams have registered 2-0 road victories against each other, with rookie netminder Mason Vaccari recording his first career OHL shutout, with 29 saves, on Oct 23 for Kingston. In three starts against Oshawa, Vaccari has a minuscule 0.80 GAA and .966 save-percentage stopping 56 of 58 total shots.

Kingston points-leader Ethan Miedema has recorded six points (4G,2A) in five games played versus Oshawa (including one goal with Windsor). The NHL-draft-eligible prospect recorded four goals against Oshawa last Wednesday’s win over the Gens to lead Kingston in scoring six points against the Gennies on the season; he needs two more for a 20-goal campaign and can hit 50 points with a pair tonight. Chris Thibodeau leads both teams with six assists. Assistant captain Maddox Callens enters action with goals in consecutive games and three of his last four.

 

 

Matthew Soto returned from injury on Mar 22, recording assists in successive games (3A), and has four points (1G,3A) in seven games against Oshawa. The NHL-eligible prospect recorded a pair of assists in last spring’s Kingston playoff series win against the Gens. Rookie Gabriel Frasca recorded his first OHL goal shorthanded against Oshawa on Oct 2 as one of a team rookie-leading 33 points.

Injured forward Paul Ludwinski recorded five points (1G,4A) in five games versus Oshawa this season. Kingston’s first-round selection in 2020 (5hth-overall) signed an NHL entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Mar 25.

The Generals qualified for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs and will face the OHL-leading Ottawa 67’s in the first round and enter action with two wins in their last three games. The victories gave Oshawa three in their previous 14 games for the struggling Gens, with all three wins coming on home ice. Beckett Sennecke sits second overall in rookie point totals (53), tied for the most freshmen helpers with 35, and leads Generals scoring versus Kingston with seven points (2G,5A) in seven games. Calum Ritchie has five goals to lead the squads in the season series.

 

Powerplay:

KGN: (41/233) 17.6% – (19^th OHL) – 12 SHGA (season series – (3/19)

OSH: (53/212) 25% –  (4^th OHL) – 10 SHGA (season series – (4/21)

 

Penalty Kill:

KGN: (169/229) 76% – (16^th OHL) – 6 SHGF (10.39 pen mins/game – 4^th least OHL)

OSH: (200/256) 78.1% – (9^th OHL) – 7 SHGF (11.46 pen mins/game  – 11^th least in OHL)

 

Fronts Notes:

• Kingston Frontenacs Hockey Club officially bid to host the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Kia
• F Paul Ludwinksi – Signed NHL-Entry Level contract with CHI Mar 25

• F Matthew Soto – pts in two straight (3A)
• F Maddox Callens – pts in two straight (2G)
  • Goals in three of last four (3)

• F Ethan Miedema -pts in four of last six (6G,1A)
• F Gabriel Frasca – recorded first OHL goal on Oct 2 v OSH

 

Team Stat Pack – G.P. (67) (26-38-1-2) 55 pts

Leaders:

Goals – Miedema (18), Thibodeau, Callens (16), Outwater (15)

PPG – Miedema (6), Ludwinski, Soto (5)

Assists – Miedema (30), Hemström (28), Soto, Burns (26)

PPA – Hemström (12), Burns (10), Outwater (9)

Points – Miedema (48), Outwater, Soto, Hemström (39)

PPP – Ludwinski (12), Hemström, Outwater, Soto (12)

SOG –Thibodeau (134), Miedema (117), Hemström (116)

PIMs – Burns (106), Budnick (64), Uens (50)

 

On The Front:

The Black and Gold thank all our fans for supporting us through our 50^th year of exciting OHL action in the Limestone City.

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.