RECAP: Scrimmages Highlight Day Two of 2024 Training Camp
Kingston, ON – Day two of Kingston Frontenacs Training Camp presented by Scotiabank featured two scrimmages between Team Black and Team Gold in very spirited bouts. These scrimmages featured two 25 minute periods with the clock continuously running. Enjoy a quick recap of the games, as well as photos from throughout the day.
GAME 1 RECAP: BLACK (6) – GOLD (2)
Team Black ran away with the first contest of the day, highlighted by goals from Jacob Battaglia, Maleek McGowan, Luke McNamara, and Nolan Buttar in a 6-2 victory.
The aforementioned Nolan Buttar looked like he fit right in with the team and could be an impact depth player for the Frontenacs that can climb up and down the lineup when necessary. One of two second round picks in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection had his skillset on full display in the first scrimmage of the day. Buttar is a strong, deceptive skater with good hands to go along with a great shot. Buttar’s goal in the opening scrimmage was a shot with pinpoint accuracy that found the corner where the crossbar and post meet for a beautiful snipe.
For Team Gold, a line of Ethan Miedema, Cedrick Guindon, and Ethan Weir took center stage as they created chance after chance but ran into some good goaltending from Team Black’s Noah Paddock (RD 7, 126 – 2023) and Reece Herman (RD 13, 246 – 2023).
Our other second round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Gavin Betts, had a good showing in his period of action. Betts had his new Frontenacs goalie gear out for a test run and made some nice stops between the pipes before giving up the net to Darcy Murphy (RD 2, 28 – 2024 U18).
GAME 2 RECAP: GOLD (6) – BLACK (5)
The second game of the day saw more of the same from Team Black as they continued to put goals up on the board. After a strong push from Team Gold to get on the board first, it was Matthew Soto of Team Black opening the scoring in the second scrimmage of the day. Team Black would hold a 3-0 lead into the intermission, before it opened up in the second frame and Team Gold made a comeback attempt.
Quick goals from Ethan Weir, Ethan Miedema, and camp invite Zack Carrier got Team Gold back into the game. Late in the game with Team Black leading 5-4, Ethan Weir would score again to even the game up with under four minutes to go. Cedrick Guindon and Ethan Miedema scored for Team Gold and Gavin Betts shut the door on Team Black to win the game and complete the comeback.
Game two on the day was highlighted by Team Gold icing Quinton Burns and Emil Pieniniemi on the same defensive pair in what could be a preview of the new look top pair for the Frontenacs this season. Fresh off signing his rookie contract with the St. Louis Blues, Burns looked strong and confident with the puck on his stick and was noticeably vocal on the bench, really stepping up as a leader for Team Gold.
As for Pieniniemi, it was his first taste of action outside of a practice since arriving in Kingston earlier this week. The Kuopio, Finland native did not look out of place at all, and fans in attendance quickly found out why he is such a highly touted addition. Pieniniemi was strong in his own zone and made a couple of shifty plays to ditch opposing defenders in the offensive zone.
Training Camp officially wraps up tomorrow morning (Fri, August 30th) at 9AM with a final Team Black vs Team Gold scrimmage that is once again open to the public. Your Kingston Frontenacs then welcome in the Ottawa 67’s this Sunday, September 1st in the first taste of preseason action for the 2024-25 OHL season. Tickets are only $17, taxes included, and can be purchased in person at the Fronts Shop from Monday to Friday from 9:00am until 5:00pm. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the game at the venue box office. Don’t miss your chance to see the action live and support the team before the season kicks off!
