In the opening of back-to-back nights of hockey, the Kingston Frontenacs (18-18-1-1) beat the Western Conference Sarnia Sting (19-13-4-2) on Friday night 5-3 at Leon’s Centre for the first of two matchups on the season. Duncan Schneider scored his first OHL goal for the game-winner in the third period in a game the Black and Gold never trailed.
The victory halts Kingston’s five-game winless streak while ending a three-game winning stretch for the visitors. Nathan Poole had a first career three-point (1G,2A) game, rookie Jacob Battaglia, a goal and assist, and Chris Thibodeau earned two helpers as three Frontenacs multi-point scorers.
Poole scored his first of the season before Sarnia’s Ethan Del Mastro tied it up late in the in the opening period before a quick response by Battaglia took a 2-1 Kingston lead to the second frame. After goals 20 seconds apart by Sarnia’s Zach Filak and Ryan Mast took a 3-2 sting lead, Budnick made it 3-3 heading to the final stanza. Schneider’s third period 4-3 goal put the fronts ahead for good with Linus Hemström adding the 5-3 tally with a minute left to wrap up scoring.
Forward Ethan Miedema and defenceman Cal Uens made their home debuts in the Black and Gold after being acquired in trades last week. Quinton Burns returned to the Kingston blueline after serving a four-game league suspension.
The Fronts sent Colorado Avalanche prospect Ivan Zhigalov to the crease for his 26th appearance making 19 saves on 22 shots for his 11th win. Canadian World Junior goaltender and San Jose Sharks prospect Ben Gaudreau saw 28 Kingston shots making 24 saves in the Sting net in his 24th game.
The Frontenacs appeared to have taken an early lead on a Maddox Callens tally but an official’s review for a close offside reversed the call in a solid first period seeing the home team outshoot the Sting 11-4.
Nathan Poole had a chance in close on a good shift with Gage Heyes drawing Kingston’s first powerplay. Shortly after the Sting killed the penalty off, Poole (1) buried a Sting forward in the visitor zone allowing Chris Thibodeau to tee-up the robust forward for a one-timer cashing for the 1-0 goal at 8:29. Matthew Soto also earned an assist on Kingston’s 24th game-opening tally, second most in the OHL and now have a 14-9-1-0 record when doing so.
Zhigalov fended off Luca DelBelBelluz moments after the Kingston strike before Ty Voit’s league-leading 51st assist on the first Sting man-advantage had the game tied up 1-1. Ethan Del Mastro (3) buried a one-timed slapshot from the circle at with 4:29 left
A quick response by the Fronts saw Thibodeau earn his second assist in the period after Jacob Battaglia (6) buried a rebounded shot off the pads of Gaudreau. Paul Hughes also was credited with an assist on the 2-1 go-ahead goal at 18:10.
Kingston improved to a 12-3-1-0 record when leading after twenty minutes but found themselves down 3-2 on a pair of Sting goals within the first couple minutes of the second period.
Zach Filak (8) tied it up 2-2 with a short-range rebound chance finished at 1:36 of the second while on a Sarnia powerplay extended from the first period. After a lengthy video review on a long range screened shot, a go-ahead tipped strike past Zhigalov by Ryan Mast (2) was allowed and had the visitors out front 3-2 twenty seconds later.
The Fronts recovered as Tommy Budnick (2) knotted the game back up with blast over Gaudreau’s glove after collecting a rebound off the goalie’s pads. Battaglia and Poole earned second points with assists on the 3-3 goal at 4:52 with Kingston ahead 15-8 in shots.
Rookie Gabriel Frasca hit the post with 3:46 left in the second period moments before a double-minor penalty to Ethan Miedema sent the Sting to a fourth powerplay taking 1:54 remaining to the third period.
The Black and Gold took a 3-3-0-0 record when tied after forty minutes into a second consecutive frame starting on the penalty kill.
Adam Cavallin was thwarted by Gaudreau from the slot after Owen Outwater setup moments before Duncan Schneider (1) scored his first OHL goal with a seeing eye shot through a maze for the 4-3 game winning tally. Outwater and Quinton Burns assisted on the go-ahead goal at 3:31.
After Heyes hit the Sarnia post twice in seconds, Pastujov was robbed of a tying goal by Zhigalov with seven minutes left with the goalie also making a good stop on Voit with under three minutes remaining to hold on for his 11th win.
A Sarnia timeout with 1:29 led to a Kingston insurance marker on a beauty goal by Linus Hemström (9) after a sweet setup pass by Ludwinski with 60 seconds left for the 5-3 final. Poole drew an assist for his third point of the game and Ludwinski stretched a point streak to three games.
The Fronts look to add to a 9-7-0-1 home record tomorrow night versus the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Scorers:
KGN: Poole (1), Battaglia (6), Budnick (2), Schneider (1), Hemstrom (9)
SAR: Del Mastro (3), Filak (8), Mast (23)
PowerPlays:
KGN: (0/2)
SAR: (2/4)
BMW of Kingston Hardest Worker:
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