Game Day Preview: KGN vs OSH

The Kingston Frontenacs (31-17-3-0) ended a three-game skid in Peterborough last night, concluding a five-game road schedule. The team returns to the Leon’s Centre for a ninth meeting with the Oshawa Generals (24-23-1-4) tonight at 7:00 pm. The Frontenacs have teamed up with Autism Ontario for tonight’s game to bring awareness to autism. The Fronts hold a 5-2-1-0 record versus the Gennies, including four straight wins over the 401 rivals. While a twelve-point lead for second-place Kingston over Oshawa is comfortable, Kingston’s Division and Conference aspirations are just as uncomfortable with a nine-point deficit to the current leading Hamilton Bulldogs. As such, it is in the Fronts’ best interest to focus on big picture winning and not get caught up in Oshawa’s post-whistle action.

The Fronts ended a five-game winning streak by Peterborough last night, and now face a struggling Oshawa team winless in five, outscored 22-12, but will be no easier a matchup for head coach Luca Caputi’s squad. Kingston has outscored Oshawa 29-20 (+9) in the eight games so far, showing how tight the battles have been won.

 

The Matchup

Shane Wright, who scored his first career goal versus the Gens in September of 2019, leads all Kingston scorers with 15 points (3G,12A) and two more double-digit scorers (Lucas Edmonds -3G,7A, Martin Chromiak – 7G,12A) when playing the Gens. Lucas Edmonds scored twice, including the game-winner in the 3-1 win in the last matchup on Feb 27 in Oshawa. The Fronts had beaten the Gens 6-2 a few night earlier in Kingston on the strength of 51 shots on Gens’ goalie Patrick Leaver. Wright had four points (1G,3A), Chromiak had three (1G,2A) in the four-goal win with Maddox Callens (1G,1A), Zayde Wisdom (1G,1A), Lucas Edmonds (2A), each recording multi-point games. The game featured a combined five third-period goals. Chromiak began a current six-game point streak (5G,6A) on Feb 25 in Kingston’s 6-2 route over the Gens.

Edmonton Oilers prospect Ty Tullio continues to be a Fronts problem with five goals in eight games. The Oshawa captain has an OT winner against Kingston included in his 71 points, good for 11^th in OHL scoring. He has a point-per-game eight points (5G,2A) in eight games facing the Black and Gold.

Leevi Merilainen has been excellent versus Oshawa with a 5-1-1-0 record on a 1.86 GAA and .932 save percentage in seven games appearing against the Generals.

 

Special Teams

Powerplay

KGN – 25.7% (^2nd OHL, 1^st Eastern Conf) –  (6/26 in season-series versus Gens – 23.1%)

OSH – 24.7% (6^th OHL, 4^th Eastern Conf) – (4/27 in season-series versus Frontenacs – 24.8%)

Penalty Kill

KGN – 76.0% (16^th OHL, 8^th Eastern Conf)

OSH – 77.1% (13^th OHL, 5^th Eastern Conf)

 

Fronts Notes:

• Lucas Edmonds T-2^nd OHL pts -89, 2^nd – OHL assists (61), 1^st OHL PP assists (27), 4^th OHL shots (221)
• Edmonds six-game point streak (4G,6A), points in 15 of last 16 (9G,20A)
• Jordan Frasca (34) T-3^rd OHL goals (one of 16 players with 30+ goals) – 15 PPG’s 2^nd most in OHL – Signed with NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins last week
• Frasca extends five-game point streak (2G,6A)
• Martin Chromiak six-game point streak (5G,6A) –  began versus OSH Feb 25
• Francesco Arcuri points in 17 of last 21 games (13G,16A)
• FWD Maddox Callens – day-to-day
• D Braden Hache – gameday decision
• Jake Murray career point 50 ver NB Mar 6

 

Team Stat Pack – GP (51)

(31-17-3-0) 65 pts (2^nd East Div / 4^th Eastern Conf / T-7^th most in OHL)

 Leaders

• Goals – Frasca (34), Edmonds (28), Arcuri (27)
• Assists – Edmonds (61), Wright (45), Frasca (37)
• Points – Edmonds (89), Frasca (71), Wright (66)
• PIMs – Haché (63), Poole (53), Stewart (44)

• Shots– Edmonds (221), Wright (179), Frasca (178)

• Powerplay Points – Edmonds (34), Frasca (24), Wright (23)

• Rookie Points – Ludwinski (29), Soto (23), Thibodeau (9)
• Defence Points – Peric (31), Murray (26), Bélanger (13)
• Plus/Minus – Frasca (+26), Edmonds (+21), Murray (+20)

 

On The Front

The Frontenacs will be hosting another Sunday Funday event on Sunday, Mar 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!

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.ca or the venue box office. The Capacity at Leon’s Centre is now at 100%.

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.