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OHL Kingston Frontenacs

Helvig Makes 40 Saves But North Bay Wins Game One 5-2

March 23, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release


After 68 regular season games and third place finish in the Eastern Conference the Kingston Frontenacs opened their 2018 playoffs at home on Friday night. The first-round opposition is the North Bay Battalion. Just a week ago Kingston defeated North Bay on home ice to extend a home winning streak over the Battalion to 7 games. Kingston has seen success in the regular season against North Bay having won 11 of the past 12 games between the two clubs but it was North Bay who took the last playoff match up in 2015.

It was a slow start for Kingston. By the midway point of the period the Frontenacs were only able to record three shots on goal. North Bay was getting more chances, but Jeremy Helvig was playing a strong opening period. Even with Helvig on his game, North Bay was the team that opened the scoring in the series. Luke Burghardt left the zone on a breakaway and beat Helvig blocker side to put the Battalion up 1-0. Kingston played a better second half of the period and eventually tied the game with their deadly power play. Sean Day brought the puck up the ice and dished it to Jason Robertson who snapped one by Christian Propp for the tying goal. Kingston escaped the first period in a tie after being outshot 14-7.

The Battalion didn't take long to reclaim the lead to open the second period. Luke Burghardt got his second of the game with a beautiful tip play in the opening minute. They continued to carry the majority of the play throughout the period. The Battalion extended their lead on a power play later in the second when Nick King took a cross ice pass from Brad Chenier and roofed it over Helvig. The Frontenacs had a glorious scoring opportunity off a face-off when Gabe Vilardi found Linus Nyman in front, but Nyman fired the puck wide. Jeremy Helvig was the best player on the ice through two periods making 31 saves and giving Kingston a chance to come back in the third. They trailed 3-1 after forty minutes.

Kingston was much better in the third period. They had more intensity in their game and it lead to more scoring chances. They closed the gap at 6:37 when Eemeli Rasanen blasted a one timer by Christian Propp to make the score 3-2. They kept the pressure on throughout the period but Propp stood tall. The Battalion goaltender kept Kingston off the board and gave his team a chance to extend the lead. Jake Henderson did just that at 15:58. He beat Helvig as he slid across the crease to restore the two-goal Battalion lead. Jay Varady pulled Helvig early for the extra attacker, but Justin Brazeau found the empty net to seal the game for North Bay. The Battalion took game one by a score of 5-2.

At times Kingston showed their ability to control the game but didn't play consistent enough to make it count. Jeremy Helvig was excellent making 40 saves in the losing effort. The Frontenacs dropped game one to Hamilton of the opening round last season and came back to win the series in seven games.

Game 2 of the series goes on Sunday evening at the Rogers K-Rock Centre. The start time for that game has shifted form the usual 2 PM to a 6 PM puck drop.

Check out the Kingston Frontenacs Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2018


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