Game Day Preview: KGN vs MISS
February 12, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release
The Kingston Frontenacs (24-12-3-0) and Mississauga Steelheads (28-11-1-4) will trade pucks tonight at Leon's Centre in the first of back-to-back home games for the Fronts. The Central Division Steelheads and Frontenacs lead the Eastern Conference, 10 points up on third-place Kingston. The visitors have played five more games, with Kingston's .654 winning percentage closer to the Steelheads' .693 clip. Kingston is 3-1-1-0 against the fish coming in off a 5-3 win in the club's last matchup on December 12 in Mississauga.
Both Conference rivals look to get back on track, with the squads entering tonight's action on consecutive losses. After a five-game winning streak, Mississauga has lost four straight (0-3-0-1) while the Black and Gold have suffered two straight losses.
After a 7-2 home lose for the Fronts in the season's second game, Kingston and Mississauga went to extra time for consecutive games, with Kingston losing 3-2 in OT, followed by a 5-4 Fronts shootout win in the three games at Leon's Centre. Jordan Frasca had a hattrick, Francesco Arcuri scored a team-leading fifth game-winning goal, and Leevi Meriläinen made 40 saves in a 5-3 road win over the Steelheads on December 12 in the last matchup. Kingston got out to a 5-0 lead before a three-goal third by the Steelheads closed out the scoring.
Mississauga's stingy penalty kill is tops in the OHL with an impressive 84.8% efficiency rate. Kingston's 5-3 win on Dec 12 over the Steelheads saw the fifth-ranked Kingston powerplay units score three times on five chances. The fish also boast a potent powerplay, and Kingston will increase its chances of winning by staying out of the penalty box. The Fronts gave the Steelheads' eighth-ranked powerplay six opportunities in the last game, giving up two goals. Both teams have similar penalty numbers, with 11.1 minutes per game taken for Mississauga and 10.5 for Kingston.
Redlights Flashing
James Hardie and Luca DelBelBelluz lead the Steelhead scoring attack with 59 points as the two 40-plus point players on the roster. Kingston boasts four (Edmonds, Frasca, Chromiak, Wright, Arcuri), including the OHL's fifth overall point-getter with Edmonds' 64 points. In the five games versus Kingston, Hardie and DelBelBelluz have a combined 7G and 8A. Edmonds has racked up 11 points for Kingston in the season series, with Francesco Arcuri (4G) and Jordan Frasca (5) each giving the fish fits on the scoreboard.
Arcuri enters the game on a seven-game point streak (5G,4A), his second of the season (7G,10A-10 gm streak on Nov 9 to Dec 3).
Trailing Truths
A good start in any game is vital. With the teams suffering just one regulation loss (KGN) in a combined 33 games with a lead after the opening period, tonight's start is of even greater emphasis for coach Luca Caputi's team. Mississauga has not lost in regulation in 24 games, and Kingston has suffered just two defeats in 20 games when leading after two periods. Kingston has an 11-1-2 record when leading after the opening twenty minutes.
Conversely, the Steelheads have struggled when trailing a game with one regulation win (1-7-0-2) when trailing after the first. Coach Caputi would like to see his squad get off to better starts, though Kingston has shown a better chance to come back from a slow start with a 5-7-0-0 record when trailing after one.
Freshman Facts
Mississauga's Owen Beck is tied for the OHL rookie scoring lead with 36 points and goals with 15. Zakary Lavoie sits in the 15th spot with 27 points. Kingston's rookie skaters Paul Ludwinski (22 pts) and Matthew Soto (21 pts )lead the Kingston rookie attack
Special Teams- Powerplays
KGN - 24.2% (5th Eastern Conf/8th OHL)
MISS - 20.8% (8th Eastern Conf/12th OHL)
Penalty Kill
KGN - 78.0% (5th Eastern Conf/13th OHL)
MISS - 84.8% (1st Eastern Conf/1st OHL)
Fronts Notes:
Lucas Edmonds tied 4th OHL assists (45), 5th points (64). No other top-10 scorers have fewer pim's (8)
Maddox Callens listed day-to-day
Kingston joins North Bay as the only two OHL teams with three 20-goal scorers (Frasca, Chromiak, Arcuri), North Bay has four
Lucas Peric tied for 5th in OHL defense goals (9)
Alec Belanger registered career point 50 last week
Team Stat Pack - GP (39)
(24-12-3-0) 51 pts - 2nd East Div/4th Eastern Conf
Leaders
Goals - Frasca (27), Arcuri, Chromiak (20), Edmonds (19)
Assists - Edmonds (45), Wright (29), Chromiak (27)
Points - Edmonds (64), Frasca (50), Chromiak (47)
PIMs - Haché (50), Budnick (39), Poole (33)
Shots- Edmonds (180), Chromiak (137), Wright (135)
Powerplay Points - Edmonds (23), Chromiak, Wright (17), Frasca (15)
Rookie Points - Ludwinski (22), Soto (21), Thibodeau (8)
Defence Points - Peric (23), Murray (21), Bélanger (10)
Plus/Minus - Frasca (+22), Murray (+19), Arcuri, Edmonds (+16)
On The Front
The Frontenacs play back-to-back home games this weekend. The next home game is a Sunday matinee, tomorrow afternoon versus the Hamilton Bulldogs starting at 2:00 pm.
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. Watch the games on YourTV Kingston (channel 700) or on CHL TV/OHL Live.
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2022
- Attack Fall to Rangers in Overtime Despite Season High in Shots - Owen Sound Attack
- Edmonds, Frasca and Arcuri Reel in a 9-6 Win for the Fronts over the Steelheads - Kingston Frontenacs
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- First-Place Firebirds Seek Seventh Consecutive Win on the Road in Erie Saturday - Flint Firebirds
- Game Day Preview: KGN vs MISS - Kingston Frontenacs
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