Game Preview: Kingston at Peterborough
The Kingston Frontenacs (4-1-0-1) hit the road for the second time this season against the Peterborough Petes (4-2-1-0) on Thursday night at Peterborough Memorial Centre to open back-to-back nights against their East Division rival. Tonight’s game marks the first of eight games for the divisional opponents before the Fronts welcome the Maroon and White back to Kingston Friday night at Leon’s Centre at 7:00 pm for a rematch. Head coach, Luca Caputi’s group, has won three straight games with points in four playing a strong, two-way style of high-intensity forechecking that has seen the Black and Gold give up the fewest goals in the OHL heading into week three of the season.
The Frontenacs went 8-4-0-0 in a 12-game season series with the Petes last season as they open an eight-game regular season series with the Petes tonight. Kingston played their final regular season game of 2021-22 in Peterborough, with the Petes taking a 6-3 win in the team’s last matchup on Apr 17, 2022, giving the Maroon and White the edge in two straight games at home since a Kingston 5-4 win Mar 10, 2022 at the Memorial Centre. The Fronts always have a tough matchup going 6-11-0-0 over the last five years in Peterborough. “I think all our preparation has been for the Peterborough Petes, especially cause they beat us in the pre-season, Maleek McGowan said in preparation. “It will be a bit of a redemption game for us, so we’ll be ready to go for sure. If we go there and play the right way, we have a real good chance of winning.” McGowan is tied for the OHL lead amongst rookie skaters with a plus-4 rating.
Dallas Stars prospect Francesco Arcuri extended a point streak (6G,2A) to four games in the Fronts’ last game, registering his 100th career regular-season point. Kingston’s leading goal scorer is tied with Sarnia’s Nolan Burke for the league’s longest goal streak at four games and sits three goals away from 50 career regular season tallies. Linus Hemstrom is tied with Arcuri for the team point lead (8), joining Arcuri with points in four consecutive games (2G,5A).
The Fronts special teams have been a key to early season success. The penalty-killing units have allowed just two goals against on 27 opposition chances with a 92.6 percent efficiency rate to lead the Eastern Conference and sit second in the OHL. Caputi is happy with his teams’ work and adherence to a strong defensive system. “There’s lots of things,” he said after Wednesday’s practice on his club’s success. “First and foremost, the PK just has a team-first mentality. Blocking shots, getting clears, and our goaltending has been excellent.” Kingston has not given up a powerplay goal in over ten periods (17 kills) since October 7 versus North Bay. Fronts rookie Adam Cavallin has goals in consecutive games after scoring his first OHL goal last weekend and looks to continue team success with hard work. “Three big matchups this weekend,” Cavallin commented at practice. “We built on last weekend, and I think we had some great things this week in practice working on special teams, and I think we’re ready.”
Peterborough enters action off a 4-3 overtime loss in Sudbury to wrap up a four-game northern road stand and plays their first game in front of home fans since a 5-3 win over Hamilton on Oct 1. The Petes have alternated wins and losses in their last five games, looking for consistency. Connor Lockhart leads the Petes with 11 points (2G,9A), sitting fifth overall in league scoring and second in assists. Teammate Tucker Robertson is also at a double-digit scoring total (3G,7A).
Powerplays
KGN – 23.1% 6/26 (4th Eastern Conf / 5th OHL)
PBO – 17.9% 5/28 (8th Eastern Conf / 13th OHL)
Penalty Kill
KGN – 92.6% 25/27 (1st Eastern Conf / 4th OHL)
PBO – 75% (18/24) (7th Eastern Conf / 15th OHL)
Fronts Notes:
- G Ivan Zhigalov – 1.78 GAA (2nd OHL), .945 SV (1st OHL)
- F Francesco Arcuri – four-game pt/goal streak (6G,2A)
- needs 3G for career reg-season 50
- F Linus Hemstrom – four-game pt streak (2G,5A)
- F Owen Outwater – three-game pt streak (2G,4A)
- F Matthew Soto – three-game pt streak (2G,2A)
- F Adam Cavallin – two-game goal streak (2G)
Team Stat Pack – GP (6) (4-1-0-1) 9 pts ( T-2nd East Div/ T-3rd Eastern Conf / T-5th OHL )
Leaders:
Goals – Arcuri – T-3rd OHL (6), Hemström (3), Outwater, Soto, Hughes, Cavallin (2)
Assists – Hemstrom (5), Frasca, Outwater (4), Soto (3)
Points – Arcuri, Hemström (8), Outwater (6), Soto, Frasca (5)
SOG – Arcuri (29), Hemstrom (18), Hughes (17)
Plus/Minus – Hache – T-7th OHL (+5), Hemstrom, Roger, McGowan – Tied 1st OHL rookies (+4)
PIMs – Stewart – 1st OHL (22), Hache (13), Budnick, Burns (6)
On The Front
The next home game is a rematch against the Peterborough Petes tomorrow, Friday, October 21, 2022, at 7:00 pm at Leon’s Centre. The Fronts head back on the road to Tribute Communities Centre on Sunday, October 22, facing-off with the Oshawa Generals at 6:05 pm.
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 are encouraged to follow the team’s social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and IG for live updates!
All home game tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by visiting the Leon’s Centre box office at 1 The Tragically Hip Way. The box office is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm and 2 hours before puck drop on home game days. Group tickets, Flex Packs and season ticket memberships are available at www.kingstonfrontenacs.com.
