Game Recap: Kingston vs. Peterborough
On the first game in a four-day stretch, the Kingston Frontenacs (24-24-1-2) battled a defensive 3-0 empty-net goal loss to the Peterborough Petes (27-23-1-2) on Friday night at Leon’s Centre, in the sixth of the eight-game East Division season series. The Petes win tied the season series at 3-3-0-0 in the third shutout of Kingston shooters on the season and snapped a three-game team losing streak.
The Petes took a 1-0 first period lead on a Tucker Robertson shorthanded goal through a scoreless middle frame. A second special teams tally on a Chase Stillman powerplay marker put the visitors up a pair early in the third period before Connor Lockhart added a 3-0 empty net goal.
Ivan Zhigalov held the Kingston net making his 35th appearance, and fifth against the Petes. The Colorado Avalanche prospect was solid in making 23 saves on 25 shots. Kingston faced Michael Simpson in the Petes cage for his league-leading 39th appearance, registering his league-leading fourth shutout and added 22 stops to an OHL-high 1106 on the season.
NHL-rated draft prospect Defenceman Quinton Burns made his eagerly awaited return from injury, out since Jan 16.
After a fast-skating start by the clubs, Kingston drew the games first powerplay on the fourth-most penalized team in the OHL, but it was the Petes netting the game opening tally with their 10th shorthanded tally. Seattle Kraken prospect Tucker Robertson (32) buried a one-timed shot from the slot off an odd-man rush for the game-winning 1-0 goal, assisted by Avery Hayes at 7:39 on the only tally in the first two periods. It marked his season-series-leading 5th goal, for either squad, in six games.
Peterborough improved to a 17-11-0-1 when scoring the games’ first goal with a 10-7 shot lead after twenty minutes.
The team’s skated four-on-four as the Fronts Ethan Miedema and Oshawa’s Cam Gauvreau were sent off on coincidental minors after a scrum in the Petes crease, following a Quinton Burns rush, as the divisional rivalry brewed early.
Kingston went to the first intermission trailing with a 4-10-0-1 record when down after twenty minutes. The Black and Gold have now allowed the least amount of goals-against in the Eastern Conference (42), second least in the OHL to London.
Four minutes into a scoreless second period, Kingston’s Maddox Callens hit the post with a blast from the faceoff circle that couldn’t beat Simpson for a tying marker shortly before the Fronts’ Gage Heyes and Tommy Purdeller dropped the gloves for a spirited bout, in the ever-continuing physical game.
Kingston went to their second man advantage, but avoided a second shorthanded tally when Zhigalov made a nice breakaway save off a JR Avon chance in a slower-paced defensive battle period than the opening twenty.
Early in the third period, the Petes doubled their lead on their first powerplay of the night after Chase Stillman (16) buried a rebound into the Kingston net off a Jonathan Melee shot that Zhigalov made an initial stop on. The 2-0 insurance tally coming at 5:39 after over 36 minutes of scoreless play.
With shots a premium for both teams on a 4-2 Petes lead almost 12 minutes into the final period, Kingston defenceman Tommy Budnick drew a lengthy third Petes penalty call with Owen Beck sent off for a high hit with 7:40 remaining. The play was reviewed with Beck receiving a major, misconduct, and match penalty, and an ensuing five-minute man advantage for Kingston.
The Petes penalty killing units did a good job limiting the Fronts to four shots on the extended powerplay.
Frontenacs coach Luca Caputi pulled his goaltender with 2:06 left but Connor Lockhart (23) rounded out the final 3-0 score. The loss dropped Kingston’s home record to 12-12-0-1.
The Black and Gold head to Hamilton on Sunday afternoon at 2pm, continuing a three-game weekend returning back in Kingston on Monday afternoon at 2pm against Barrie.
Scorers:
PBO: Robertson (32), Stillman (16), Lockhart (23)
Powerplays:
KGN: (0/3) – shorthanded goal against
PBO: (1/1)
BMW of Kingston Hardest Worker
Chris Thibodeau
Three Star Awards
- Tucker Robertson PBO – (1SHG)
- Michael Simpson PBO – (22 save SO)
- Chase Stillman PBO – (1G)
Fronts Notes:
- Kingston Frontenacs Hockey Club officially announced its bid to host the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Kia
- D Quinton Burns – returned fr inj – out since Jan 16
Team Stat Pack – G.P. (51) (24-24-1-2) 51 pts
Leaders:
Goals –Thibodeau (15), Soto (13), Miedema (12)
PPG – Ludwinski, Soto (5), Miedema (4)
Assists – Ludwinski, Miedema (25) Hemstrom, Soto (23)
PPA – Hemström (11), Burns (9), Outwater (8)
Points – Miedema (37), Soto (36), Ludwinski (34)
PPP – Ludwinski (12), Hemström, Soto (11), Burns (10)
SOG –Thibodeau (104), Miedema (94), Soto (90)
Plus/Minus –Burns (+6), McGowan (+3)
PIMs – Burns (79), Budnick (58), Uens (41)
On The Front:
The Frontenacs’ take off next for Hamilton for a match against the Bulldogs on Sun, Feb 19 at 2:00 pm for their next game. Join the Frontenacs for Family Day as the Black and Gold return to Leon’s Centre ice to face-off against former assistant captain Braden Hache and the Barrie Colts for a second straight day game Monday, Feb 20, at 2:00 pm.
96.3 Big FM and 104.3 Fresh Radio are your exclusive home for play-by-play with Jim Gilchrist and Kingston Frontenacs Hockey! Fans can listen live to all the games at https://frontenacs.leanplayer.com/. Fans can also tune into the game at https://watch.chl.ca/ (subscription needed).
Fans are encouraged to follow the team’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media channels for live updates!
