Kingston's Season Ends Due to Late Game Heroics
OHL Kingston Frontenacs

Kingston's Season Ends Due to Late Game Heroics

Published on April 2, 2026 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release


Kingston, ON - The Kingston Frontenacs had their backs against the wall as they entered game four of their first round matchup against the Ottawa 67's; down 3-0 in the series and needing a win in a do or die matchup on Thursday night.

Kingston has had trouble with their starts to games so far in this series, and that would unfortunately continue tonight as Sam McCue scored under a minute after the game got under way. The nightmare start continued for the Frontenacs with a goal from Nic Sima making it 2-0 under three minutes into the contest; thus ending Matt Minchak's night between the pipes before it ever really got going, being replaced by Gavin Betts. Being down 2-0 that early in the game clearly wasn't ideal, but that gave the black and gold a lot of runway to get back in it.

Just beyond the halfway point of the first, Matthew Frost would get the comeback attempt going. Riley Clark burst into the Ottawa zone as a one man wrecking crew, bullying his way through a crowd. Clark's shot hit a body and went wide, but the puck eventually fell to Frost who roofed it over the glove of Ryder Fetterolf to cut the 67's lead in half.

With their season on the line the Frontenacs came out of the gates swinging to start the second period; with Robin Kuzma tying the game just a 1:07 into the middle stanza. Maleek McGowan rushed from the blueline towards the left corner and fed a pass through the crease to Kuzma for a tap-in and the tying goal. Kingston's bench and crowd alike could feel the momentum swing as the black and gold dominated the second period, outshooting the 67's 11-4 and spending a lot of time in the Ottawa end, but couldn't find a go ahead goal before the third period got underway.

The third period was a back and forth battle of attrition between the two sides, as both teams traded sustained pressure in the opposition's zone. Gavin Betts came up with huge saves and Ryder Fetterolf was there to match. Just when everyone thought the game was going to overtime, Filip Ekberg made his presence known. Ekberg drove the net with just 30 seconds to play and beat Gavin Betts on the short side, giving the 67's a 3-2 lead with virtually no time remaining.

With little time left to play, the Frontenacs weren't able to get an equalizer, thus ending their season in game four.

Although a sweep in the first round is never an easy thing to swallow, there are a lot of positives to take away from a young team that did better than many expected. A year like that followed by a summer of growth and development means the sky is the limit for this promising Frontenacs team.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2026


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