Game Day Preview: KGN vs. PBO

The Kingston Frontenacs (30-17-3-0) wrap up a long road schedule taking on the Peterborough Petes (18-21-26-3) at the Peterborough Memorial Centre tonight at 7:05 pm. The ninth of twelve meetings with the Division rival has Kingston looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat for the first time this season. Since a 3-1 win in Oshawa on Feb 27 to open the road swing, the Fronts dropped three straight heading into tonight’s fifth and final road game. The team returns to the friendly confines of Leon’s Centre this Friday in front of a 100% capacity for the first time in 2022. Peterborough will not be an easy place to get back on track as the Petes enter tonight’s matchup winners of five consecutive games and seven of their last 10. Kingston had only lost three straight times once this season, with a streak that ended on Jan 21 in a 5-2 victory over Hamilton. Kingston went on to win four more and run a five-game winning streak to break out of the funk.

A good start is always in the minds of players and coaches, in particular a road game against a division rival. The teams combined for just one regulation loss each, leading after the opening twenty minutes (26-2-3-0). After two periods, the Petes have only one win in 23 games when trailing, with Kingston managing come-from-behind wins 5 times with a 5-13-0-0 record, but this is not a position head coach Luca Caputi will want his group in.

 

The History

The Frontenacs’ 6-2-0-0 record versus the Maroon and White in the season series includes an overtime win at Leon’s Centre on Nov 7. After five straight wins over Peterborough, the Fronts have dropped two of three, including a 3-1 loss in the Limestone City in the last matchup on Feb 9. The 38 goals against the Petes on the season represent 18.5 percent of total Kingston team goals, second-most scored behind the 22% mark against Ottawa. The Petes have managed 27 tallies on Kingston, giving the Fronts an 11-goal edge, averaging more than one goal a game better than the Maroon and White.

In the 3-1 win for Peterborough in the last matchup on Feb 9, the club’s traded goals in the first period before a third-period game-winner by Jax Dubois (with an empty-net goal added) gave the Petes the tight win. Arcuri scored his 20^th on the season on the only Kingston strike. Leevi Merilainen was the third-star of the game, keeping Kingston in range throughout the game. Special teams could be a factor, with both teams having top-five powerplays, but in the lower third of the league on the penalty kill, respectively. Alec Belanger and Sam Alfano had a spirited tilt in the first period as physical play ramped up in the countdown to playoff positions for both teams.

 

Petes Probs

Kingston’s leading point-getter (3^rd-OHL), Lucas Edmonds leads all players with 16 points (4G,12A) in the eight-game series with Peterborough. Recent Pittsburgh Penguins signee Jordan Frasca has 13 points and is tied with Francesco Arcuri for the team-lead in goal with five each on Petes’ goaltenders. Arcuri and Frasca missed a game versus Peterborough while still putting up the team-leading goal numbers. Combined, the offensively dominating trio has 48 points (23G,25A) in the season series thus far.

 

Fans are Back

“We weren’t at our best, obviously not good enough, but we have an opportunity tomorrow night (Thursday) to right the ship and get it going in the right direction again,” said Head coach Luca Caputi after Wednesday’s practice. Our start Thursday night will be evident in all of our work we put in this week.” The coach also recognizes the exciting time for fans returning to Leon’s in full capacity on Friday. “The energy the fans bring on a nightly basis, especially at home. If you can’t feed off your own fans, you’re in the wrong business.”

Philadelphia Flyers prospect Zayde Wisdom knows they are in for a challenging game tonight. “We ready for them, we know what they bring to the table; we just got to bring more.” Like his teammates, Wisdom wants to give the home fans a hardworking Fronts team with fans back at full capacity. “Having full capacity is going to be an unbelievable feeling again. They’re a big part of the squad, and we’re happy to have them back.”

 

Special Teams

Powerplay

KGN – 25.0% (5^th OHL, 3^rd Eastern Conf) –  (9/30 in season-series versus Petes – 30%)

PGH – 24.9% (6^th OHL, 4^th Eastern Conf) – (7/26 in season-series versus Frontenacs – 26.9%)

Penalty Kill

KGN – 75.6% (16^th OHL, 7^th Eastern Conf)

PGH – 74.7% (18^th OHL, 9^th Eastern Conf)

 

Fronts Notes:

• Lucas Edmonds 3^rd OHL pts -86, 2^nd OHL assists (59), 1^st OHL PP assists (26), 4^th OHL shots (218)
• Edmonds five-game point streak (4G,4A), points in 14 of last 15 (9G,18A)
• Jordan Frasca (34) T-3^rd OHL goals (one of 15 players with 30+ goals) – 15 PPG’s 2^nd most in OHL – Signed with NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins this week
• Frasca four-game point streak (2G,5A)
• Martin Chromiak five-game point streak (3G,6A)
• Francesco Arcuri points in 16 of last 20 games (13G,15A)
• Rookie Thomas Budnick first OHL goal versus Petes Jan 27 (6-5 L)
• Rookie Matthew Soto first OHL multi-goal game (2) with two goals in less than five minutes opening the third period versus Petes Nov 7 (6-5 W)
• Rookie Chris Thibodeau first OHL multi-point game (1G,1A) versus Petes Nov 7 (6-5 W)
• Rookie Paul Ludwinski second OHL three-point game (1G,2A) versus Petes Jan 7 (6-5 L) – two game-winning goals 3-1 W Oct 16 and 6-5 win on Dec 2

 

Team Stat Pack – GP (50)

(30-17-3-0) 63 pts (2^nd East Div / 4^th Eastern Conf / 7^th OHL

 Leaders

• Goals – Frasca (34), Edmonds (28), Arcuri (27)
• Assists – Edmonds (59), Wright (42), Frasca (36)
• Points – Edmonds (87), Frasca (70), Wright (63)
• PIMs – Haché (63), Poole (53), Stewart (44)

• Shots– Edmonds (218), Frasca, Wright (176)

• Powerplay Points – Edmonds (32), Frasca (24), Chromiak, Wright (21)

• Rookie Points – Ludwinski (29), Soto (22), Thibodeau (9)
• Defence Points – Peric (30), Murray (26), Bélanger (13)
• Plus/Minus – Frasca (+27), Edmonds (+22), Arcuri, Murray (+19)

 

On The Front

After tonight’s game, the Fronts return home tomorrow night for a matchup against the Oshawa Generals. The Frontenacs will be teaming up with Autism Ontario to present the team’s Autism Awareness Game. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.ca or the venue box office. The Capacity at Leon’s Centre is now at 100%.

The Frontenacs will be hosting another Sunday Funday event on Sunday, March 13 against the Niagara IceDogs. The Sunday Funday event is packed full of family fun. Featuring face painting, inflatables provided by the Party Empire, Super Monster Gamez will be setting up gaming systems and so much more!

Listen to all the action on 104.3 Fresh Radio with Frontenacs play-by-play voice Jim Gilchrist. Fans can also follow along with team social media channels at Twitter, Facebook and IG for updates. Watch the games on YourTV Kingston (channel 700) or CHL TV/OHL Live.