Werek Returns to Lead Fronts to Win
Ethan Werek returned to the Kingston Frontenacs lineup to score a goal and add two assists, in helping lead the Fronts to a big 8-5 win over their arch rivals from Belleville. Captain Taylor Doherty and sophomore forward Corey Durocher also had big nights, scoring a pair of goals each in the victory.
The Fronts controlled much of the play early in the game, jumping out to a 9-3 shot advantage, but found themselves behind the eight ball, as the Bulls struck for two goals on the first three shots against former goaltender Philipp Grubauer. The Bulls then took over in the back half of the period and could have increased their lead if not for some stellar saves by Grubauer. Michael Curtis and Brendan Gaunce scored early for Belleville, but Tyler Brown tipped home a Doherty point shot less than a minute after Gaunce’s goal gave the Bulls a 2-0 lead.
Werek, in his first game since December 10th, found the score sheet 34 seconds into the second period to tie the game for the Fronts, but Bulls tough guy Mike Mascioli restored Bellevilles lead before the five minute mark of the second period. The Fronts again tied things up, when the red hot Ryan Spooner slipped in over the line, crossed the ice and handcuffed Belleville goaltender Tyson Teichmann, but the Bulls again took the lead, when Carter Sandlak fooled Grubauer with a shot that deflected up and over the Fronts star goaltender. Nathan Moon would score with 9.3 seconds left in the second period to once again tie the game and arguably break the Bulls will and set the tone for the third period.
Despite being out-shot 15-12 in the third period, the Fronts controlled the period and held the Bulls to very few chances, including holding them without a shot on a mid period power play. Durocher scored back to back goals midway through the second period, the second coming on a power play that seemingly put the game out of reach. Belleville’s Andy Bathgate fired a blast past Grubauer just nine seconds later to shake things up a bit, but Doherty sealed the game, scoring into an empty net to give the Fronts the 8-5 win.
Kingston was without the services of gritty forward Conor Stokes and star defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who were both suspended for hits over the weekend. Stokes received a three game suspension, while Gudbranson is out indefinitely.
The Fronts are back in action on Friday night, when they host Peterborough for the first ever, get swabbed hockey night, where you can be a match and save a life. Details on the game are in a different article on the Fronts website.
