Game Day Preview: KGN vs SBY
January 14, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release
The Kingston Frontenacs (17-6-3-0) are back in action tonight against the Sudbury Wolves (9-18-3-0) on a nationally televised game on TSN at 7:30 pm at Leon's Centre. The Eastern Conference foes will meet for the second time in the 2021-22 season, with the Black and Gold taking a 5-4 win on October 15 in Kingston. The teams will play twice more in Sudbury on February 4 and March 4.
The Fronts lost 6-5 to Peterborough last Friday at Leon's Centre in the teams' only game since Dec 12, halting an impressive eight-game winning streak sitting one point back of division leader Hamilton. However, the Fronts have played four fewer games than the Bulldogs and can make up points with continued solid play.
The Wolves won 3-1 over Kingston's last opponent in Peterborough last night, recording the clubs' first win in five games and only the second road victory of the season after a trade deadline that saw the team send their leading scorer, Chase Stillman to Peterborough. The Wolves number one defenceman Jack Thompson was also dealt, so Kingston will look to take advantage of a squad allowing 4.06 goals against per game, second-worst in the Eastern Conference.
Luca Caputi is prepared to get back to the ice. "The week went well. It's been a while since we had the full team in the building," said the head coach. "We're just trying to get back on track. We lost last Friday, so looking to play a full 60 minutes to our identity."
Frontenacs leading scorer Lucas Edmonds leads the OHL in assists (35) and sits fifth in overall OHL scoring (52). Important to note, the overage forward sits atop league-scorers with a 2.00 points-per-game pace. The recently ranked 107th prospect by NHL Central Scouting is tied for third overall for shots-on-goal (127)
General Manager Kory Cooper announced the team had acquired veteran defenceman Alec Belanger from the Ottawa 67's to help bolster a younger defensive squad. "It feels good to be wanted by such a high-class organization, said Belanger after practice Thursday. "I'm really excited to get going; it's a big opportunity here for the guys. It will be up to us to show that we're committed to it and want to get that championship this year. The veteran understands his game and what his skill set can bring to help diversify an already deep squad. "I'm just going to take it shift by shift, play simple and stay in the moment. There are a lot of good players on this team, so I'm just going to try and do my job."
Belanger will be joining former 67's teammate Lucas Peric on the Kingston blueline. "It was one of the cooler parts. It's going to be a great opportunity. We'll just make some memories while working hard having fun winning hockey games."
The team also announced that defenceman Braden Haché and forward Zayde Wisdom had been officially named assistant captains for the remainder of the season.
Martin Chromiak is on a nine-game point streak with 15 points. The LA Kings prospect recently returned from the shortened World Junior with two goals. "I think I have great teammates, and I am just happy I am scoring right now, but the most important is winning games." Look for Chromiak to team up, once again, with Wisdom and Wright to form one of the most potent lines in the OHL.
Special Teams
Power Play KGN - 29.6% - 2nd OHL/1st Eastern Conf (3 SHGA)
SBY - 12.0% - 20th OHL/10th Eastern Conf (2 SHGA)
Penalty Kill KGN - 78.4% - 11th OHL/4th Eastern Conf (2 SHGF)
SBY - 76.1% - 13th OHL/6th Eastern Conf (4 SHGF)
Game Notes
Shane Wright has eight points in his last three games (2G,6A)
LA Kings prospect Martin Chromiak 15 points on a nine-game streak (7G,9A)
Forward Jordan Frasca 10 points on a four-game streak (8G,2A)
Goals in four straight (8), including back-to-back hattricks on Dec 11 and 12.
Jake Murray (18) is in the top-20 blueline scorers in the OHL
Murray leads Fronts in plus/minus (+17), 4th - overall amongst OHL defencemen
Murray will be suiting up in his 150th career OHL game tonight. He was held out of the lineup last Friday due to Covid-19 protocols.
Lucas Peric has six points (6A) in a four-game streak
Forward Zayde Wisdom (Philadelphia Flyers - 2020 /4th Rd) made his 2021/22 home debut in the 6-5 loss to Peterborough last Friday - (2A)
North American NHL Central Scouting mid-season rankings - Lucas Edmonds (107), Paul Ludwinski (29), and Shane Wright (1)
Team Stat Pack - GP (26)
(17-6-3-0) 37 points - 2nd East Div (HAM-38) / 4th Eastern Conf (MISS -45)
.712 Winning percentage 2nd OHL (MISS - .726)
Leaders (Top/3)
Goals - Frasca (20), Edmonds, (17), Chromiak (14)
Assists - Edmonds (35), Chromiak (22), Wright (19)
Points - Edmonds (52), Chromiak (36,) Frasca (35)
PIMs - Haché (40), Poole (31), Budnick (29)
Shots- Edmonds (127), Chromiak (98), Frasca (89)
Powerplay Points - Edmonds (19), Chromiak (15), Wright (13)
Rookie Points - Ludwinski (18), Soto (16), Thibodeau (7)
Defence Points - Murray (18), Peric (16), Budnick (6)
On The Front
The Frontenacs next game is Sunday, January 16, in Hamilton against the East-Division leading Bulldogs. Note that the OHL has postponed an originally scheduled road game in Niagara on Saturday, January 15.
The next home game is Friday, January 21, in a rematch with former Peterborough Pete and Team Canada World Junior member Mason McTavish and the Bulldogs at 7:00 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.
Fans can also catch the action on CHL TV/OHL Live and YourTV.
• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board...
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2022
- Wolves Skate Away with 8-4 Win over Frontenacs - Kingston Frontenacs
- Spitfires Fall to Sting 6-5 - Windsor Spitfires
- OHL Announces Postponement of January 14th Game Versus Hamilton - Oshawa Generals
- OHL Announces Postponement and Rescheduled Games - Windsor Spitfires
- OHL Announces Postponement and Rescheduled Games - OHL
- IceDogs Sign Ilia Chmelevski - Niagara IceDogs
- Single Game Ticket Information (January 7th - January 26th) - Soo Greyhounds
- Braden Haché and Zayde Wisdom Named Assistant Captains - Kingston Frontenacs
- Game Day Preview: KGN vs SBY - Kingston Frontenacs
- Canadian Hockey League Postpones 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - OHL
- Spirit Store & Team Offices Are Moving - Saginaw Spirit
- Otters' MLK Day Game Promoted to CHL 'Game of the Week' - Erie Otters
- Now Available Online: 50/50 Fronts Raffles - Kingston Frontenacs
- 67's Face Petes on Home Ice - Ottawa 67's
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