Playoff Fast Five: Kingston vs. North Bay – RD1 GM3
The North Bay Battalion leveraged their home ice advantage to their benefit, clinching two crucial wins to kick off the best-of-seven first-round series. Despite the Kingston Frontenacs’ valiant effort in Game 1, they found themselves facing an uphill battle in Game 2, where the North Bay Battalion took an early lead, leaving the Black and Gold struggling to regain control and ultimately unable to even the series.
However, tonight’s game marks a pivotal moment for the Frontenacs to mount a comeback. With the puck scheduled to drop at 7:00 pm, anticipation is running high among fans eager to witness a thrilling showdown. Secure your tickets Through the provided link to ensure your spot in the stands for what promises to be an electrifying clash on the ice.
Arrive early to soak in the pre-game atmosphere and grab hold of spirited noise makers generously provided by sponsors such as Gino’s Pizza & Spaghetti, Pisano’s Old School, and Colourways Sneaker World Limited. Let’s rally behind the Frontenacs as they strive to turn the tide and seize victory, reigniting the series with an impressive display of skill and determination.
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/kingston-frontenacs-tickets/artist/829722
Series:
Game 1: Thurs., March 28 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm: NB won 4-2
Game 2: Sat., March 30 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm: NB won 7-3
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
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:
Urgency Needed
Through two games of the 2024 OHL Playoffs, the Kingston Frontenacs have experienced a Jekyll and Hyde scenario. They’ve showcased moments of strong play, demonstrating the potential to win, yet they’ve failed to capitalize on opportunities presented by North Bay that could have shifted momentum in their favour. Trailing 2 games to none, it’s imperative for the Black and Gold to exhibit urgency in tonight’s game to initiate a comeback. With ample talent at their disposal, the team must translate it into on-ice performance to mount a successful push.
Disciplined Hockey
Playoffs demand physicality, but they also require a disciplined approach to avoid placing one’s team at a disadvantage. In the past two games, the Kingston Frontenacs have granted North Bay 10 power play opportunities and have averaged 18.5 penalty minutes per game in the series. To improve their prospects for success, the Frontenacs must rectify their undisciplined play and strive for greater composure on the ice.
Balanced Attack
One of Kingston’s notable strengths lies in its team depth and the capacity to utilize all four lines effectively. While this balanced attack hasn’t fully manifested in the first two games of the series, tonight presents a prime opportunity for all Frontenacs lines to find their rhythm, especially on home ice. If they can synchronize their efforts and ignite their offensive prowess, the series will be anything but decided.
Player to Watch: North Bay
Seattle Kraken prospect and North Bay Battalion defenseman Ty Nelson (#24) has showcased an impressive performance in the playoffs thus far. With 2 goals and an assist in 2 games, he’s been a key driver of play for the Battalion on both ends of the ice. To counter his effectiveness, the Kingston Frontenacs must focus on minimizing Nelson’s opportunities in the offensive zone and actively obstructing his shot attempts by getting in shooting lanes.
Player to Watch: Kingston
The Kingston Frontenacs require contributions from all their lines to turn this series around. One player with the potential to spark depth scoring for the Frontenacs is Luke McNamara. During the regular season, the forward showcased his capabilities with 10 goals and 19 assists, totaling 29 points in 49 games for Kingston. Despite his playoff point drought spanning 13 career games (11 with Saginaw and 2 with Kingston), McNamara possesses the skill set to make a significant impact and deliver a standout performance for the Frontenacs. Tonight presents an ideal opportunity for the talented forward to catalyze the balanced attack of the team.