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OHL Kingston Frontenacs

Game Day Preview: KGN vs OSH

January 28, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release


The CHL's fifth-ranked Kingston Frontenacs (21-9-3-0) are back on home ice tonight for a puck drop with the Oshawa Generals (17-14-1-2) at 7:00 pm at Leon's Centre for the fifth matchup with their 401 rivals. Winners of four straight, the Fronts have opened a three-point lead in the East Division, sitting eight points up on third-place Oshawa with one fewer game played. With a win tonight, the Black and Gold can set a franchise record for their best record at the halfway point of a season. The team had 46 points in 34 games in 1999-00.

Kingston enters on back-to-back nights, coming off a 6-3 win over Peterborough on Thursday night powered by a pair of Zayde Wisdom goals. The Gens have not played since their 2-0 loss to the Fronts and have suffered two consecutive defeats with a couple of wins in their last five.

Oshawa holds a one-point edge in head-to-head matchups, winning three of five with six points collected versus Kingston. Both Kingston victories came on shutouts, including a 5-0 win on Dec 3 in Kingston and a 2-0 win in Oshawa in the last matchup on Jan 23. Patrick Leaver was excellent, with Kingston heavily outplaying the Gens en route to the win in the previous matchup. Meriläinen was solid, making 26 saves for his second shutout. Martin Chromiak (3G,3A), Shane Wright (2G,4A), and Lucas Edmonds (1G,5A) all have six points in the season series versus the Red and Blue.

Reversal of Fortune

Since allowing 26 goals over a four-game losing stretch, coach Luca Caputi's squad has improved in team goals against dropping to a total of seven over the last four while maintaining a heavy shot presence. The Fronts have had 45+ shots in the previous three games while averaging an impressive 45.5 shots.

An aggressive forecheck and an emphasis on moving the puck have allowed Kingston to effectively dominate a majority of puck possession in the last four games. The game-plan has been what Caputi has been looking for as Kingston can roll four lines with ease, putting continual high energy pressure on the opposition.

Net Presence

Both teams enter action tonight with solid goaltending. Oshawa's Patrick Leaver was spectacular in the team's last game against Kingston, stopping 48 of 50 shots giving the Gens a chance to steal the game. Leaver holds the OHL's fourth-best 0.920 save percentage.

Meriläinen has a .940% save percentage and a minuscule 1.75 average against Oshawa, pitching both shutouts over the Gens this season. The Ottawa Senators prospect sits second in OHL wins (17) minutes played (1630) while facing the fourth most shots (747).

Rookie Repping

Both squads have had excellent contributions from rookie skaters. Along with Leaver, defenceman Luca Marrelli and forward Calum Ritchie have been solid in their first seasons. Marelli has added depth to the Gens blueline with a +4 rating, while Ritchie continues to be an offensive threat sitting ninth in OHL freshman scoring (25 pts).

Kingston forwards Matthew Soto (19), and Paul Ludwinski (20) have provided excellent secondary scoring forming a potent third line with veteran Maddox Callens. Thomas Budnick has played solid appearing in all 32 games this season on the blueline. The 2020 third-round selection has chipped in seven points and has added a physical dimension to the squad.

Skewed Schedule

With many dates rescheduled due to OHL protocol, teams have played a more contrasting amount of games than usual, so it's essential to keep an eye on winning percentage as an indicator of success compared to other teams. Kingston's .682 winning percentage is the second-highest in the OHL, behind Mississauga's .730. and has them currently ranked fifth in National CHL rankings.

Special Teams

Powerplay

KGN - 26.1% (1st Eastern Conf/3rd OHL)

OSH - 24.0% (3rdEastern Conf/6th OHL)

Penalty Kill

KGN - 79.2% (4th Eastern Conf/11th OHL)

OSH - 86.0% (2nd Eastern Conf/2nd OHL)

Notes

Shane Wright has points in five straight (4G,5A)

Wright 70%+ in last three games on faceoffs

Martin Chromiak has points in five straight (4GA)

Lucas Peric has four goals in his previous three games to lead Kingston scoring from the blueline (23 pts)

Lucas Edmonds sits second in league assists (41), fourth in scoring (60), second in points-per-game (1.81)

Team Stat Pack - GP (33)

(21-9-3-0) 45 pts - 1st East Div / 3rd Eastern Conf (NB 44 pts, MIS 52 pts)

Leaders (Top/3)

Goals - Frasca (22), Edmonds, (19), Chromiak (18)

Assists - Edmonds (41), Chromiak (26), Wright (24)

Points - Edmonds (60), Frasca (45), Chromiak (44)

PIMs - Haché (42), Budnick (33), Poole (31)

Shots- Edmonds (159), Chromiak (127), Frasca (115)

Powerplay Points - Edmonds (21), Wright, Chromiak (17), Frasca (13)

Rookie Points - Ludwinski (20), Soto (19), Thibodeau (8)

Defence Points - Peric (22), Murray (19), Belanger (7)

Plus/Minus - Frasca (+21), Murray (+20), Edmonds (+17)

On The Front

Kingston will be back on the road for the next four games beginning in Hamilton on Sunday, January 30, in a matinee affair versus the Bulldogs at 2:00 pm. The Fronts then head north next weekend for a three-game stretch against Barrie (Thursday), Sudbury (Friday) and North Bay (Sunday).

The next home game is Wednesday, February 9 at 7:00 pm versus the Peterborough Petes. Follow team social media and Website for ticket information with spectators returning to arenas in the near future.

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 Your TV Kingston (channel 700) or on CHL TV/OHL Live.

Check out the Kingston Frontenacs Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2022


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