Final Thoughts: Game 4 – Kingston vs. Oshawa

The Kingston Frontenacs scored four third period goals sealing a 6-2 win over the Oshawa Generals on Thursday night at Tribute Communities Centre taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven OHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Game 5 is set for Sat, Apr 30 at Leon’s Centre with a chance to clinch the series at home.

The North Bay Battalion and Hamilton Bulldogs wrapped up their respective first round series’ in four game sweeps with Barrie and Mississauga squared up 2-2 in the rest of the East Playoff picture. With a win in Game 5, the Fronts would face the Battalion in Round Two of the playoffs.

 

Game Four Scoring:

KGN 3 – Wisdom (2), Ludwinski (2), Wright, Edmonds

OSH 2 – Harrison, Tullio

Goalies Game four:

• Meriläinen – KGN (33 saves, 31 shots)
• Leaver – OSH (30 saves, 36 shots

 

Turning Point

With the game tied 2-2 at the start of the third period the Fronts faced a pivotal moment in the game and series. Oshawa had tied the game late in the second and with a frenzied crowd anticipating a Gens comeback form two-one-goal deficits in the final frame. However, Shane Wright and Zayde Wisdom gave the Black and Gold a two-goal cushion within two minutes.

Wright’s first career goal of the playoffs (also scored in Oshawa for first OHL goal in 2019) turned out to be the game-winner with the quick strike by Wisdom 120 seconds later gave the insurance the fronts needed while quieting a stunned home crowd.

 

Wise Ways

Zayde Wisdom (2G,2A) registered four points in Game 4 and now leads OHL playoff scoring with 10 points. The Philadelphia Flyers product has multi-points in every game of the series and his six assists are tied for tops in the league. Sitting at plus-12, the two-way forward leads the postseason while playing a physical game.

The assist on Paul Ludwinski’s opening goal was a testament to the strength and desire of the five-foot-ten, 200-pound forwards’ ability to take a game over as he discarded Gens defender Thomas Stewart with ease before firing a depth pass to the open rookie in the slot getting Kingston the first goal. An underrated puck handler, the 4^th-rd pick in the 2020 NHL Draft showed off sweet mitts with a nice triple backhanded deke past Patrick Leaver for his first four-point game in his OHL career with Flyers’ brass Daniel Briere in attendance.

 

Pedal to Metal

After taking a 4-2 lead in the final period, the Fronts continued to press allowing only three more Oshawa shots before sending the Gens on their heels with two more strikes in 24 seconds by Edmonds and Ludwinski. The Gens never had a chance to get their game together as Kingston never stopped with a 17-9 shot advantage in the third scoring four goals.

 

Versatility Vet

Defenceman Alec Belanger moved to centre to help with the void of forward Jordan Frasca (one game suspension) and was exceptional playing with Matthew Soto and Chris Thibodeau. The energetic line registered six shots with solid forechecking including a hit post by Thibodeau. Belanger was a plus-one winning six of 11 faceoffs.

 

Powerplays

Game 4:

KGN (1/2) – series (2/9)

OSH (2/3) – series (5/17)

 

BMW Kingston Hardest Worker of the Game

Alec Belanger

 

Three Stars of the Game

1. Zayde Wisdom – KGN (2G,2A)
2. Paul Ludwinski – KGN (2G)
3. Lucas Edmonds – KGN (1G,2A)

 

 Fronts Notes:

• F Rookie Paul Ludwinski – T-2^nd OHL goals (5), 1^st OHL Rookie pts (7), 1^st OHL rookie goals (5)
• F Zayde Wisdom 1^st OHL playoffs pts (10), T-4^th OHL Goals (4), T-1^st Assists (6), 1^st OHL Plus/Minus (+12)
• Jake Murray – T- 3^rd Defence pts (6)
• Duncan Schneider, Mitchell Brooks and Chris Thibodeau made their OHL playoff debuts
• Nathan Poole – inj (day-to-day)
• Gage Heyes – inj (day-to-day)
• Jordan Frasca – susp 1 game (eligible to return Game 5)
• OHL Priority Selection – Apr 29^th 7:00 pm. Kingston will make their first selection in the 17^th spot of the first round.

 

Best of Seven – Fronts lead 3-1

Playoff Stat Pack – (4 GP)

• Goals – Ludwinski (5), Wisdom (4), Edmonds (3)
• Assists – Wisdom T-1^st OHL (6), Chromiak, Wright (5)
• Points – Wisdom – 1^st OHL (10), Ludwinski (7), Wright, Murray (6)
• PIMs – Haché (10), Frasca, Heyes (5)
• Shots – Wisdom (14), Ludwinski (13), Edmonds (11)
• Powerplay Points –Edmonds, Wisdom, Wright, Stewart, Belanger, Budnick (1)
• Rookie Points – Ludwinski – 1^st OHL (7), Heyes, Stewart, Budnick, Soto (1)
• Defence Points – Murray – T-3^rd OHL (6), Peric (2), Budnick, Belanger (1)
• Plus/Minus – Wisdom – 1^st OHL (+12), Murray (+9), Budnick, Ludwinski, Peric (+7)

 

 Eastern Conference Playoff Picture – Best of Seven

(8) PBO v (1) HAM (HAM wins 4-0)

(7) OTT v (2) NB (NB Wins 4-0)

(5) BAR v (4) MISS (2-2) – Gm 5 Sat Apr 30

 

On The Front – Playoffs

The Fronts can clinch the series in Game 5 of the 2022 OHL Playoffs versus Oshawa Generals on Saturday, April 30 at 7:00 pm at Leon’s Centre. Secure your seats to cheer on the Frontenacs run at an OHL Championship today! Tickets are available at ticketmaster.ca or the venue box office.

Gm 6 – If necessary -Sun, May 1:  @ Oshawa, 6:05 pm

Gm 7 – If necessary -Tue, May 3:  @ Kingston, 7:00 pm

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