RECAP: Kingston can’t buy a goal as the Generals skate to 3-1 Victory
Under the bright Friday night lights of Leon’s Centre the Kingston Frontenacs played host to the division rival Oshawa Generals. It’s the first matchup between these two teams since November 12th, 2023, which saw Kingston skate away with the 5-4 shootout win in Oshawa. Kingston holds serve in the season matchup between the two sides, having won three of four meetings up until tonight. Both teams have made significant changes to their respective rosters since they last met, and in a wide open Eastern Conference it may as well be a fresh slate between these two division rivals.
The Generals came to play early on as they would capitalize off a Kingston turnover in their own zone. Just 1:36 after the drop of the puck Calum Ritchie picked off an errant pass and Luke Torrance (11) ended up batting the puck out of mid air on the rebound to put the Generals up 1-0. Mason Vaccari and the Frontenacs defensive core had to buckle down for the rest of the period, as Oshawa seemed to control the pace of play throughout the opening twenty minutes of action. The black and gold had their chances though, as Tyler Hopkins and Chris Thibodeau both hit the crossbar, and Luke McNamara rang a shot off a post later on in the period.
Kingston seemed to find their footing in the second period, playing with much more speed and the possession game that has become their identity since Troy Mann took over behind the bench. The Frontenacs drew even on their first powerplay of the night, as Gabriel Frasca wired home his 8th of the season over the left shoulder of Generals netminder Jacob Oster to tie the game at one a side just under five minutes into the second frame.
By the end of the second, Oshawa would unfortunately retake their lead thanks to a goal from Connor Lockhart; his 20th of the season. A mad scramble in front of Mason Vaccari led to Lockhart kicking the puck to his stick and burying it into the back of the net; putting his side ahead 2-1.
In the third and final frame, the Frontenacs seemed to revert to the way they started the game in the opening period. Not many chances to tie the game came up early on, but Mason Vaccari stood tall in the Fronts’ net as Oshawa looked to extend their lead. The best chance to draw even for Kingston was with just under four minutes left to play in the game, as Linus Hemstrom found himself in on a partial breakaway but was denied with a sensational glove save from Jacob Oster. The Frontenacs had a powerplay late, giving them a final chance to tie the game but Oster and the Generals slammed the door shut, and Connor Lockhart scored his second of the game and 21st on the season into the empty net; sealing the deal for Oshawa as they would take this one in a 3-1 final.
Upcoming Games:
Sunday, Jan 14th, 2024 | Kingston at Oshawa | 6:05pm | Tribute Communities Centre
Friday, Jan 19th, 2024 | Kingston vs. Owen Sound | 7:00pm | Leon’s Centre | Indigenous Community Night
Sunday, Jan 21th, 2024 | Kingston vs. Saginaw | 2:00pm | Leon’s Centre | Steve Dangle Podcast Night
Next Home Game:
Friday, January 19th, 2024
Kingston Frontenacs vs. Oshawa Generals
Leon’s Centre | 7:00pm Puck Drop
Indigenous Community Night
