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OHL Kingston Frontenacs

Thibodeau and Meriläinen Help Frontenacs Complete Comeback vs. 67's in Shootout

November 10, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release


Kingston Frontenacs snapped Ottawa's three game winning streak with a 4-3 victory over the 67's after going to their first shootout of the season in the Nation's capital on Tuesday night at TD Place. Chris Thibodeau scored late, and Shane Wright scored in the shootout earning a second consecutive win for Kingston who erased three one-goal deficits.

Francesco Arcuri scored his fourth and Jordan Frasca scored in his return from injury, while Leevi Meriläinen stopped 38 shots enroute to the division win.

The game was the fifth time the East Division foes face-off with Kingston now holding a 3-1-1-0 record with two 4-3 wins in Ottawa.

First Period

The teams traded a pair of quick goals in a two-goal first period that was fast-paced period with only five faceoffs in the first 12 minutes. The visitors drove the play registering the first three shots before Ottawa got their first shot six minutes into the game. It was 7-1 Fronts at the midway mark of the frame with Kingston having heavy offensive zone time.

Francesco Arcuri set up Jordan Frasca in the slot for Kingston's best chance early, but Ottawa starter Will Cranley didn't allow a rebound swallowing the quick shot in his pads.

Kingston's first power play came with eight minutes left in the period after an offensive zone penalty. Defenceman Jake Murray had a good wraparound chance that just stayed out between the post and Cranley's skate.

Shortly after killing the penalty, Ottawa took advantage of a turnover making it 1-0 at 14:44 on their third shot after Vinzenz Rohrer (3) stole a loose puck in the Kingston zone beating Meriläinen in close.

Less than two minutes later, a tipped shot by Arcuri (4) tied it 1-1 at 16:22. After former 67's defender Lucas Peric fired a low shot toward the Ottawa goal, Arcuri skated through the shooting lane and deflecting the shot into the net.

Wright had a chance late but a great glove save off a shot labelled for the top-corner by Cranley prevented Kingston taking a lead to the intermission.

Second Period

Ottawa outshot the Fronts 21-13 and remained out in front by a goal after the teams traded three goals in the middle period.

Meriläinen fought off an Ottawa push with six consecutive shots, but the barber poles went up for a second time at 5:32 on Rohrer's (4) second of the game. The Kingston goalie had no chance as the Ottawa forward buried a rebound into the open cage.

Rohrer hit the post midway through the period almost getting the hat trick and a great save by Meriläinen on Dylan Robinson in close with a right pad save proved key keeping the fronts within one score as Kingston tied it 2-2 at 12:08. After Frasca caused a turnover along the boards, Lucas Edmonds fired a shot on Cranley and Frasca (5) buried the rebound in his first game back after missing two with injury. Edmonds assist was his seventh point versus Ottawa tying him with Chromiak for the team lead in points (18).

With a 1:38 left, Peric was forced to take a penalty on a breaking Ottawa forward and the 67's power play would score on their second opportunity. Taking a one-goal lead for a third time, Gaidamak (7) buried a shot from the slot with 90 seconds left in the period. The forward scored his fourth goal against Kingston in the five games played.

Third Period

Kingston had four shots in the first 90 seconds of the final frame looking for the tying goal. Wright flew in on Cranley immediately off the opening draw forcing the 67's starter to make another good glove save off the Kingston captain.

Ottawa pushed back looking for an insurance goal registering five straight shots on Meriläinen after the Kingston.

Frasca was hit high by Johnstone and Kingston had a third powerplay chance with under eight minutes left in the game. A Chromiak shot hit the post as Kingston fired plenty of rubber at the Ottawa crease before Chris Thibodeau (4) finally potted one with five seconds left on the man-advantage tying the game 3-3. After taking a nifty feed from Maddox Callens, the rookie fired a lazer-beam bardown from the dot over the shoulder of Cranley at 14:36 with Peric also earning a helper.

Overtime

The teams played a back-and-forth extra frame much like the overall game. Edmonds had a good chance in close and Gaidamak was robbed by Merialinen after firing a shot from the hashmarks. Frasca had a breakaway stopped by Cranley and Robinson was stuffed by Leevi who swallowed up the rebound in a game where both goalies played outstanding.

Shootout

Shane Wright scored the only goal and Meriläinen made a huge glove save to close out the shootout earning Kingston the huge extra point in the comeback win.

Notes

Jordan Frasca returned to lineup after missing two games with injury. The veteran forward was wearing a full cage after taking a puck to the mouth.

Rookie Nathan Poole missed the game due to injury

Matthew Soto (13) is three-points behind Oshawa's Calum Ritchie in a tie for second place for the freshman league-lead. Soto's nine assists are also good enough for second behind Ty Nelson of North Bay (11).

Shane Wright was named OHL Player of the Week on Tuesday with three goals and five assists over three games last week. He's the first Frontenacs player to earn the honour since forward Brett Neumann back in Dec 2018.

Team Stat Pack - GP (12)

Record

(7-3-2-0)

16 pts - Tie 2nd East Conf/ Tie 2nd Eastern Div

One back of Eastern Conference Lead (17) / One back of East Division Lead (17)

Leaders (Top/3)

Goals - Edmonds (8), Chromiak, Wright (6), Frasca (5)

Assists - Chromiak (12), Wright (10), Edmonds (10), Soto (9)

Points - Chromiak, Edmonds (18), Wright (16), Soto (13)

PIMs - Poole (23), Burns (12), Haché (12)

SOG - Edmonds (55), Wright (54), Chromiak (44)

On The Front

The next home game is Friday, November 12 versus the Oshawa Generals and high-flying rookie-scoring leader Calum Ritchie. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm in the teams first matchup of the season. November is Special Olympics Game Month in the Ontario Hockey League. On Friday, the Fronts will be raising awareness around the Special Olympics movement.

On Saturday afternoon, November 13, Kingston hosts Mississauga Steelheads at 3:00 pm in a nationally televised covered game being shown on CBC. A very special tribute to the late legendary OHL coach/manager Larry Mavety is themed for the game. (Note the afternoon start time).

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 Instagram for updates.

All home game tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.ca or visiting the Leon's Centre box office. Group Sales and Flex Packs are also available for fans at www.kingstonfrontenacs.com.

Check out the Kingston Frontenacs Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 10, 2021


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