Back on Track
Erik Gudbranson couldn’t return soon enough for the Kingston Frontenacs, as the standout defenseman returned to the Kingston lineup for the first time in over month to score the game winning goal late in the third period, pick up an assist on the Fronts fourth goal and dish out several big checks, as the Fronts ended their mini slump, with a 4-2 win over the Owen Sound Attack. “Obviously when you get a player like Guddy back in the lineup, it’s a lift for whole team. He brings a presence not just to our players, but opposing players too,” said Head Coach Doug Gilmour.
The game actually didn’t start all that great for the Black and Gold, as if not for another returning Wolrd Junior player, the game may have been over, long before Gudbranson’s winning goal, as Philipp Grubauer turned aside 18 shots in the first period alone to keep the Fronts in the game, until they got the offense rolling. Grubauer finished the night with 36 saves. The final returnee to the lineup, was Erik’s younger brother Alex, fresh off a Gold Medal performance at the Under-17 Championship, was a solid +1 in his return.
Joey Hishon showed why he was selected in the first round of the NHL draft last June, as he scored both goals for the Attack, the first in the opening period with a quick shot off the post and in behind Grubauer and the second, finishing off a great passing play to give Owen Sound a 2-0 lead early in the second period.
Kingston finally got rolling late in the second period, when Corey Durocher finished off a nice passing play and the Fronts had new life heading to the third period. The Fronts wasted no time utilizing that new life in the third, as Sean Jones scored 22 seconds into the period, setting the stage for Gudbranson’s game winning point shot goal with less than six minutes remaining in regulation time. Gudbranson, then unloaded his heavy slap shot on a power play with just over four minutes to play and Ryan Spooner jumped all over the rebound and scored to give the Fronts the 4-2 win.
Ethan Werek missed his eighth straight game, after being injured back on December 10th in Saginaw, while Conor Stokes missed the game, due to a suspension for a hit in Brampton back on December 31st. Ryan Davidson sat out with an upper body injury, suffered in the Fronts New Year’s Day loss to Mississauga and Derek Froats continues to progress in his recovery from early season shoulder surgery.
The Fronts head out on the road first thing Saturday morning, for games in Erie and Niagara on Saturday and Sunday.
