Game Day Preview: KGN vs OSH

The Kingston Frontenacs (34-18-3-0) hit the ice tonight at 6:05 pm at Tribute Communities Centre, in the tenth of twelve meetings with Eastern Division foe Oshawa Generals (26-26-1-4). The Fronts will be looking to get back to their winning ways after a close loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday night. The loss ended a four-game winning streak for Kingston.

Oshawa opened the season series with two wins, but the Black and Gold now have a 6-2-1-0 record over Oshawa, including five straight wins since their rivals’ beat them 4-2 on January 18. Kingston took a 7-2 win at Leon’s Centre in the last matchup on March 11, scoring five unanswered goals, after the two teams went to the first intermission squared up at two all. Francesco Arcuri scored a team-leading 6^th game-winning goal early in the second, with Leevi Merilainen making 26 of 28 saves for the win in the Fronts net. The game was physical with three scraps, including Oshawa captain Ty Tullio and Fronts defenceman Alec Belanger squaring off as both teams set season highs in penalty minutes.

 

Wright Place, Right Time

Captain Shane Wright scored his first OHL goal on September 29, 2019, in Tribute Communities Centre and has continued to be a thorn in Oshawa’s defensive side. The Burlington, ON native leads Fronts shooters with 20 points (6G,14A) in the nine-game season series with Oshawa. He also lead the way with four points (2G,2A) in Kingstons 7-2 win on March 11. In his OHL career versus Oshawa, Wright has amassed 31 points (12G,19A) in 15 games and he has only been held off the scoresheet twice. One of those two times includes his first OHL game. This summer’s NHL draft’s projected first overall selection has 10 points in his last three games against the Generals (4G,6A).

 

Scoring by Committee 

Martin Chromiak missed one game versus Oshawa this season, but leads both teams with eight goals. He has also collected seven assists for 15 points, which is second to Wright against the Gennies. The LA Kings prospect (97 pts) needs three mor points for 100 career points. Fronts defenders Lucas Peric (4G,3A) and Alec Belanger (4G,2A – split with Ottawa 67’s) both enjoy success against Oshawa from the blueline with four goals respectively over the Gens. They are joined by team goal leader Jordan Frasca (4G,6A), who sits third in the OHL goal with 38 tallies, and Francesco Aruri, each with four versus Oshawa. In his last six games overall, Frasca has nine points (4G,7A).

 

Generally Speaking

Oshawa captain Ty Tullio (5G,2A) and Brett Harrison (3G,4A) lead the Generals with seven points versus Kingston. Tullio’s totals include an OT winner with five team-leading goals in the season series. Calum Ritchie has four points (2G,2A), including the Generals’ first goal in the 7-2 loss on March 11.

 

Powerplay

KGN – 25.1% (4^th OHL, 2^nd Eastern Conf) –  (8/29 in season-series versus OSH – 27.6%)

OSH – 25.4 (10^th OHL, 6^th Eastern Conf) – (4/32 in season-series versus KGN – 12.5%)

 

Penalty Kill

KGN – 77.7% (12^th OHL, 4^th Eastern Conf) – (28/32 season-series versus OSH –  87.5%)

OSH – 80.0% (15^th OHL, 7^th Eastern Conf) – (21/29 season-series vs KGN – 72.4%)

 

Fronts Notes:

• Lucas Edmonds – 4^th  OHL pts – (95), T-1^st assists (65), 1^st OHL PP assists (28), 4^th OHL shots (229) – (one of 18 players with 30+ goals), 2^nd PP pts (35)
• Edmonds ended eight-game point streak last game (6G,10A) versus OTT, pts in 17 of last 19 (11G,24A)
• Jordan Frasca (38) – 3^rd OHL goals (one of 18 players with 30+ goals) – 16 PPG’s 2^nd most in OHL (+30 – 7^th OHL), T-8^th OHL pts
• Martin Chromiak – points in nine of ten (8G,9A), needs three points for career 100
• Francesco Arcuri ended five-game point streak last game (2G,5A), points in 18 of last 22 games (14G,19A)
• Goaltender Leevi Merilainen – 3^rd goalie wins (27), 2^nd mins played (2675), 4^th saves (1216), started eight of nine versus Gens
•  Rookie Matthew Soto scored 5^th goal versus OSH Dec 3 (5-0 W)
• Defenceman Braden Hache – day-to-day inj
• Defenceman Ben Roger – day-to-day inj

 

Team Stat Pack – GP (55)

(34-18-3-0) 71 pts (2^nd East Div / 4^th Eastern Conf / 8^th OHL

 

 Leaders

• Goals – Frasca (38), Edmonds (30), Arcuri (29)
• Assists – Edmonds (65), Wright (49), Frasca (39)
• Points – Edmonds (95), Frasca (77), Wright (73)
• PIMs – Haché (63), Poole (55), Stewart (44)

• Shots– Edmonds (229), Wright (198), Frasca (187)

• Powerplay Points – Edmonds (35), Frasca, Wright (25), Chromiak (24)

• Rookie Points – Ludwinski (30), Soto (24), Thibodeau (9)
• Defence Points – Peric (35), Murray (29), Bélanger (16)
• Plus/Minus – Frasca (+30), Edmonds (+26), Murray (+23)

 

Retro Jersey Charity Auction

You can bid on a one-of-a-kind game-worn Kingston Frontenacs retro jersey supporting Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, with all proceeds donated to the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy. The original Count Frontenac jerseys were worn by the team from 2000 to 2007.

The Powered by DASH auction ends on Monday, Mar 28 at 3:00 pm. See link below.

DASH (dashapp.io)

 

On The Front

Kingston plays a second consecutive road game in a battle with the Mississauga Steelheads on Friday, Mar 25 at 7:00 pm, opening a three-game in a three-day stretch. The next home game is versus the Barrie Colts on Saturday, Mar 26 at 7:00 pm, followed by a Sunday, Mar 27 matinee at 2:00 pm against Peterborough Petes.

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.