Sports stats



OHL Kingston Frontenacs

Frontenacs Move into First in the East Division with 6-5 Win over the Bulldogs

December 11, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release


The Kingston Frontenacs (15-5-3-0) met the Hamilton Bulldogs for the first time in the Limestone City this season in a game with East Divisional status on the line. The Black and Gold came away with a big 6-5 win taking over first spot in the division with a sixth consecutive win ending the Bulldogs two-game streak.

Francesco Arcuri scored his fourth game-winning-goal of the season, Lucas Edmonds had four points (2G,2A), Jordan Frasca had three points, and Leevi Meriläinen won his 13th game in the first of a three-in-three stretch weekend. The Frontenacs have not lost since a 5-2 defeat to North Bay on Nov 26. "Paul Ludwinski understood the importance of the victory moving forward. "It's exciting but we aren't halfway through the season. We want to keep it rolling through this three on three-on-three stretch."

It was the second meeting of the divisional foes after a 5-4 shootout win by Kingston in Hamilton on Nov 27, and the first game without Captain Shane Wright, away at World Junior tournament in Alberta. Assistant Captain Edmonds is confident in keeping the team rolling, "Shane is a big part of our team. I think our team has plenty of guys that have stepped up this season in leadership roles in different areas."

Meriläinen was back in goal after being named the OHL Goaltender of the Week facing Marco Costantini in the visitor net who would be relieved in the third. The Frontenacs wore their black uniforms as the Bulldogs were in their themed white Ticats Night jerseys in support of the upcoming Grey Cup on Sunday.

First Period

The Fronts took a 10-5 lead on the shot clock in a closely checked game by both teams with the periods' two goals coming in quick succession and a 1-1 score after twenty minutes.

A tentative, but flowing start with just two faceoffs through the first six minutes by both squads with the first shot coming over three minutes, in was ended by an Avery Hayes (13) goal at 6:33. Ryan Humphrey and Lucas Moore assisted for the 1-0 Hamilton lead.

Kingston had a quick response pouncing back quickly with a tipped puck by Lucas Edmonds (14) off a Braden Hache shot just 24 seconds later. Jordan Frasca also drew an assist at 6:57 on the shot from the point for the 1-1 tally.

Hamilton took the games first penalty midway through frame with Kingston getting two good chances early on the man advantage against Costantini. The Frontenacs penalty killers took to the ice for the first-time seconds after the Bulldogs penalty had ended and staved off a go-ahead goal by the visitor. A Hamilton shot was tipped by Meriläinen but hit the post as the game stayed square.

Rookie Paul Ludwinski had a great chance undressing a Hamilton defender off the rush before rifling a wrist shot the Bulldog goaltender fought off keeping the game tied 1-1 heading to the first intermission. Kingston had a second chance with the extra skater with 25 seconds left in the period, taking a remaining 1:35 into the dressing room to start the second.

Second Period

The shots were more plentiful during the middle twenty than the opening period, with Hamilton having 14-13 advantage as the goaltenders were much busier, but Kingston would go up 4-1.

It was a five-on-three for 1:07 as Hamilton took a penalty early and Kingston took advantage with good offensive zone time before registering powerplay goal. Just after the initial Hamilton penalty ended, Edmonds (15) fired a one-timer from the top of the circle to give the Fronts a 2-1 lead, sending the teams back to full strength.

"We had the five-on-three for awhile and I felt we didn't get many quality shots off on that advantage, but it was a broken play with their player losing his stick," said the assistant captain after the game. "Chromer has real good vision and was able to find me, so I just kinda shot from in between the dots." Martin Chromiak extended a point streak to six games and Francesco Arcuri earned his first point of the game with the nice assist.

Kingston did a good job limiting the Bulldogs, keeping them off the shot clock for the periods' opening few minutes before a Hamilton powerplay on a Kingston bench minor at 5:41. Meriläinen made a 10-bell glove save with no rebound before making two more quick succession stops during a crease crash after a Hamilton point shot.

Paul Ludwinski (5) put the Black and Gold up by two with a smart shot from the circle after taking a feed from Chromiak at 13:07. Lucas Peric picked up an assist on the 3-1 goal.

The rookie skater is expected to help pick up the offense with Captain Shane Wright away at World Juniors. "Anytime Chromer (Chromiak) has the puck he's dangerous and they like to play man coverage," Ludwinski said about his goal. "He recognized that and drew the defenceman, and I found a spot for him to hit me. He can make those plays, so I just walked in a made no mistake."

The fourth score by Kingston saw Maddox Callens (9) flying off the rush taking the puck from his own blueline before wiring a shot short side past Costantini from the faceoff circle. Jake Murray drew an assist to extend his point streak to six games (1G,9A) for the 4-1 lead at 16:33 as Callens surpassed his rookie point total.

Soto had a breakaway opportunity that the Hamilton netminder turned away with under two minutes remaining keeping the Bulldogs down three goals heading to the final period.

Third Period

Hamilton would tie the game in the last period, but a game winner by Arcuri set the stage for the Fronts to win their sixth consecutive.

Matteo Drobac started the third period in Hamilton's goal as Costantini was pulled after four goals on 23 shots during the first 40 minutes. Logan Morrison (8) made it 4-2 almost four minutes into the stanza ending Kingston's four-goal unanswered stretch. Ryan Humphrey and Romeo Chandler got the helpers to get the visitors within a pair of tallies with 16:04 left in the game.

Jackson Stewart continued his physical presence with a big hit at the Fronts blueline on Hamilton's Jorian Donovan. Kingston went to a fourth powerplay with under nine minutes left on a Hamilton tripping call. Nathan Staios was given 10 and a game ending his night, with another game misconduct given to Navran Mutter.

Frasca (14) made it 5-2 with a second Kingston powerplay marker off another screened point shot by Peric. Edmonds and Lucas Peric assisted.

Things remained physical when rookie Chris Thibodeau and Donovan tussled in Hamilton's corner halfway through the period. Kingston received the extra two in the mixup and Hamilton took advantage. "Good for him," said Ludwinski on his fellow rookie. "Someone tries to rough up some of the smaller guys on the ice. He doesn't take it a lot so good for him standing up for himself and our teammates for coming in."

Jan Mysak (17) fired a quick shot from 10 feet that bet Meriläinen for the 5-3 score at 10:49 getting the Bulldogs back within two. The Montreal Canadiens prospect tally was assisted by Diaco and Brockville, ON product, Gavin White.

Kingston had a fifth chance on the powerplay moments after the Hamilton third goal at 11:20 but couldn't get the insurance goal before a late Hamilton strike tied the game. A sparkling toe save by Meriläinen on a visitor breakaway kept the Fronts lead intact with seven minutes remaining on the clock, but Donovan scored twice in under two minutes to tie it up 5-5. The first at 16:12 to draw the game back to a one goal lead for Kingston before it was a new game with 2:24 left, just 84 seconds after his first strike.

Kingston would get the two points with Arcuri (11) scoring with 1:49 left, putting the Fronts back up 6-5 on his fourth game-winning goal of the year. After Frasca took the puck to the net, a deflected pass went to the Dallas Stars prospect who backhanded under a sprawling goalie. Team points leader Edmonds recorded his fourth point of the game to move into second overall in OHL scoring with 44 points.

BMW Kingston Hardest Worker Award

Paul Ludwinski - (1G)

Three-Star Awards

Lucas Edmonds - KGN (2G,2A)

Jordan Frasca - KGN (1G,2A)

Jorian Donovan - HAM (2G)

Game Notes

Hamilton last visited the Leon's Centre on Jan 20, 20120, with the Frontenacs taking a 2-1 OT win on a Wright extra-frame winner.

Chase Costantino listed as day-to-day

Captain Shane Wright is at Canada's World Junior Camp representing Canada

Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen will represent Finland's National Junior Team

LA Kings prospect Martin Chromiak points in six, being named to the Slovakian National Junior Team this week

Forward Zayde Wisdom (Philadelphia Flyers) is skating with the team listed week-to-week

Bulldogs Forward Gavin White had an assist and is from nearby Brockville, ON - scored two game-winning goals this season

Last six game win streak for KGN - Jan 26- Feb 7/2018

Jake Murray extended point streak to six games (1G,9A)

Team Stat Pack - GP (23)

(15-5-3-0) - 33 points - Lead East Div by one / Second in East Conf (NB - 34)

Leaders (Top/3)

Goals - Edmonds (15), Chromiak, Frasca (13), Arcuri, Wright (11)

Assists - Edmonds (29), Wright (19), Arcuri, Murray (17)

Points - Edmonds (44), Wright (30), Chromiak (29)

PIMs - Haché (33), Poole (29,) Budnick (25)

Shots- Edmonds (105), Chromiak (89), Wright (86)

Powerplay Points - Edmonds (15), Wright (13), Chromiak (12)

Rookie Points - Soto (16), Ludwinski (15), Thibodeau (7)

Defence Points - Murray (18), Peric (17), Budnick (5)

On The Front

The Black and Gold hit the road for two games starting tomorrow Sat, December 11, versus Niagara at 7:00 pm before a Sun, December 12 game against Mississauga in an afternoon affair at 2:00 pm.

The Frontenacs next home game is Friday, December 17, versus Jordan Frasca's brother Jacob as the Barrie Colts make their first visit of the season to Leon's Centre.

Listen to all the action on 104.3 Fresh Radio with Frontenacs play-by-play voice Jim Gilchrist. Fans can also follow along with team social media channels at Twitter, Facebook and IG for updates.

All home game tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.ca or visiting the Leon's Centre box office. Group Sales and Flex Packs are also available for fans at www.kingstonfrontenacs.com.

Check out the Kingston Frontenacs Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central