The Kingston Frontenacs (5-2-0-1) won 2-1 on the back end of a home-and-home with the Peterborough Petes (5-3-1-0) on Friday night at Leon’s Centre to avenge a loss in Peterborough Thursday with a pair of powerplay goals. The second of the eight game season series saw the visitors open the scoring late before Alec Belanger potted his first of the season in the second period to take a tie game into the final twenty minutes. Francesco Arcuri had two points and buried a team-leading seventh tally in the third, for a third straight game-winning goal, for the Dallas Stars prospect extending a team home point-streak to 5-0-0-1. Sahil Panwar scored the lone Petes tally. Linus Hemström extended a point streak to six games with an assist.
“It was an important game, a divisional game. Obviously, a rivalry getting bigger here so, nice to win those games,” said coach Luca Caputi. “We come together as a group,” said Hemström, “and played a great game for each other so it’s a big win.”
Legendary local broadcaster Doug Jeffries was honoured before the game after 46 years of covering the Kingston and area news scene. Fronts assistant captain Braden Hache and Petes captain Shawn Spearing accepted the ceremonial faceoff dropped by Jeffries who received a lifetime media pass by the Frontenacs.
OHL save percentage leader, Ivan Zhigalov, made his fourth consecutive start for Kingston making 34 saves on 35 Petes shots. “Obviously a high energy guy, wants to do well for his teammates,” said Caputi on his goalie. His intensity is contagious.” The coach likes that his team pushes for each other. “Yeah, for sure, I think it bleeds in the group as do other pieces in our lineup. It is something we’ve pushed for, so credit to the players so far.”
Rookie goalie Liam Sztuska made his second OHL start for the visitors stopping 21 of 23 Kingston shots.
Peterborough came out strong outshooting the Fronts 12-6 in the first period taking the first lead before Kingston reversed the play in their favour with a 13-8 shot advantage in the middle 20 minutes tying the game on a powerplay goal. Kingston allowed Petes shooters only a pair of last-minute shots in the last 11 minutes of the second.
Szutuska was forced into the first big save as Kingston had a three-way passing play that Paul Ludwinski almost cashed in on for an early lead after Arcuri and Hemström had exchanged quick passes getting it to Paul Ludwinski in the slot before the Petes would take the first lead.
The Maroon and White opened the scoring with just under five minutes left in the first period with Sahil Panwar (2) finishing off a behind the spinning behind the back pass by J.R. Avon for the 1-0 visitor lead.
Kingston took advantage of a second period powerplay squaring the game up early into the frame after a nice setup by Hemström. The Fronts points leader did a great job earning an assist getting the puck to Alec Belanger (1) at the point who fired it past a crowded crease in front of Sztuska for the 1-1 score. Arcuri also assisted in the play at 6:32.
Arcuri and Ludwinski have teamed with Hemström forming a dangerous line Caputi can employ. “They compliment each other, and they are good at what they do. They have had some chemistry and it’s going well.” Hemström is enjoying skating with his offensive gifted teammates. “They are easy to play with. Just give the puck to Frenchie and it seems he scores, and Luds is so smooth.”
A pair of early third period penalty calls on Peterborough had a Kingston five-on-three for 13 seconds before the Fronts took their first lead of the game on a second powerplay goal. Arcuri (7) got the puck in the slot setting himself up in a good shooting lane before rifling a wrist shot against the grain on the Petes netminder for the 2-1 score. Paul Ludwinski earned an assist with a beauty touch pass to set up Arcuri for the go-ahead goal with Matthew Soto also assisting at 7:29.
“Luddy made a great play, he was all game. He put in in the slot and I was able to put it in,” described Arcuri on his team-leading seventh goal. “I tried to get away from my check and shot short side back. Coach Luca Caputi described his veteran forward to be counted on this season: “He’s a cerebral player for sure, the puck doesn’t have to be on his stick long. He’s not scared of them moment. It’s a huge thing when you and the player have mutual trust,” added Caputi.
Petes defender Aretm Guryev was sent off for a five-minute major for the second consecutive game after a hit on Owen Outwater in the Petes zone shortly after the Fronts go-ahead tally in the third period.
The Frontenacs Eastern Conference leading penalty killing units were solid once again with five minutes remaining in the game to help seal the 2-1 victory.
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