Playoff Fast Five: Kingston vs. North Bay – RD1 GM1
The puck dropped on the 2023-24 season 182 days ago. After 68 games spanning over 6 months, it’s time for the most exciting moment for any team and fan… PLAYOFF HOCKEY! The Kingston Frontenacs enter the playoffs as the number 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. Completing a 33-31-4-0 season, the Fronts will be tasked with taking on the number 2 seeded North Bay Battalion (39-20-7-2).
Tonight marks Game 1 of the best-of-seven series first-round matchup between the Frontenacs and Battalion. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:00 PM at North Bay Memorial Gardens.
Series:
Game 1: Thurs., March 28 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm
Game 2: Sat., March 30 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm
Game 3: Mon., April 1 – North Bay at Kingston, 7:00pm
Game 4: Wed., April 3 – North Bay at Kingston, 7:00pm
Game 5: Fri., April 5 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm*
Game 6: Sun., April 7 – North Bay at Kingston, 2:00pm*
Game 7: Tues., April 9 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm*
* If Necessary
Home Game Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/kingston-frontenacs-tickets/artist/829722
Tune-In:
Fans have the opportunity to tune in to each game in real-time through Fronts Radio, featuring Kingston’s Pure Country 99 as its driving force. The renowned play-by-play announcer, Jim Gilchrist, will be narrating the games, both home and away.
Listen Live (Streaming): Pure Country 99 https://chl.ca/ohl-frontenacs/fronts-radio-streaming-live-on-pure-country-99/
Watch: YourTV Kingston | https://watch.chl.ca/ (subscription needed)
Five storylines in tonight’s game:
Season Series
As the playoffs kick off tonight, let’s take a retrospective glance at the season series between the Kingston Frontenacs and North Bay Battalion. The two teams clashed four times, each hosting two home games. Both Kingston and North Bay split the season series evenly, with each squad securing one victory at home and one on the road. Notably, the Kingston Frontenacs clinched the last matchup on Sunday, March 17th, with an overtime game winner by Paul Ludwinski, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory for Kingston.
Momentum Coming In
The Kingston Frontenacs are riding a scorching hot streak as they enter the playoffs. The Black and Gold have triumphed in four consecutive regular season games, notably securing three thrilling overtime victories in a row to close out their regular season campaign. The win streak saw the Frontenacs beat three playoff teams in North Bay, Ottawa 67’s and Hamilton Bulldogs, proving the Frontenacs can be a threat in the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
Starting with Possession
Controlling play through faceoff wins will be crucial for the Kingston Frontenacs in this series, particularly in limiting North Bay’s attacking opportunities. Throughout the season series and a total of 233 faceoffs, the Kingston Frontenacs narrowly outpaced North Bay, winning 117 to North Bay’s 116. The team will heavily rely on the formidable trio of Jax Dubois (OHL Faceoff Wins Leader), Paul Ludwinski, and Nathan Poole, all boasting faceoff win percentages exceeding 50%, to secure possession and provide Kingston with a decisive edge in the series.
Player to Watch: North Bay
The North Bay Battalion boast a formidable and deep team, highlighted by their impressive offensive prowess spearheaded by none other than the OHL goal-scoring leader, Anthony Romani, who netted an outstanding 58 goals throughout the season. With Romani also accumulating 111 points, securing the second spot in the OHL standings, only trailing David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves by a mere six points, it becomes paramount for the Kingston Frontenacs to contain his offensive threat as effectively as possible. Locking down Romani will be crucial, especially in stealing a game on the road to kick off the playoffs and gain momentum in the series.
Player to Watch: Kingston
Mason Vaccari has been the steadfast anchor in net for the Kingston Frontenacs throughout the entirety of the season, and this reliability will be paramount as the playoffs unfold. Having appeared in 59 games for the Frontenacs, Vaccari played an instrumental role in securing 27 of Kingston’s 33 wins. Now, tasked with shutting down a formidable and high-scoring North Bay attack, Vaccari will be instrumental in providing his team with the best opportunity to succeed night in and night out throughout this series.