SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Season Series Sweep
SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Season Series Sweep
The Steelheads sweep the season series in a dominant win over the Kingston Frontenacs.
First Period
The Steelheads look to bounce back in the second half of back-to-back games after what was a night to forget in the nation’s capital. The Trout enter tonight’s contest against the Frontenacs winning all of the previous meetings this season, as they look to sweep the season series.
The Steelheads got to the offense early and had a rapid start to the game. Porter Martone received a pass from James Hardie and fired one past the Kingston netminder just 8 seconds into the game. Martones 16th goal of the season put the Steelheads ahead 1-0 early.
A few minutes after the Steelheads took the lead, Luke Misa took an unfortunate 4 minute high sticking penalty which caused the penalty killers to get to work. The Trout did a great job killing the opening two minutes of the powerplay, and did not allow any quality chances to get on net. Late in the second half of the power play, Ryerson Leenders was called upon to make a few big stops and he did just that with great poise.
As the 10 minute mark of the first period came and went, the Steelheads remained in the lead with a score of 1-0. Play was tilted in the favour of the Trout although shot totals were not totally lopsided as the Steelheads were slightly ahead at 6-5.
Shortly after the commercial break, Adam Zidlicky doubled the Steelheads lead with a beautiful backhander from the slot. Misa did a great job entering the zone and whipped a quick pass across the ice to find Zidlicky bursting into the slot. Assists on the goal went to Misa and Parker Von Richter.
The Steelheads offense did not stop there, as Zander Veccia stole the puck and rifled a wicked wrist shot past Ivan Zhigalov to make it 3-0 for the Blue and White. Veccia’s 17th goal of the season was unassisted.
The game settled down and the game neutered the first intermission with the Trout on top 3-0.
Shots on Goal – 7 KGN/9 MISS
Second Period
Frontenacs head coach Luca Caputi made a goaltending change heading into the second period, as Zhigalov was pulled from the net and Mason Vaccari took over.
The middle frame started with a noticeably slower pace than the previous period. The teams seemed to enter a feeling out period as the Steelheads did not want to over commit offensively and allow for the Frontenacs to have any sort of life in the game. Shot totals continued to favour the Steelheads, however nothing was too threatening early on.
The Steelheads did a great job defensively in the opening 10 minutes of the second period, holding the Frontenacs to just one shot that Leenders easily absorbed. The trout were able to generate 7 shots of their own, however none found the back of the net.
Deja vu occurred as the Steelheads once again scored shortly after the commercial break. James Hardie found himself on a breakaway, however was stopped by Vaccari. Hardie did not give up on the play and gathered his own rebound. Looking for options, Hardie zipped a beautiful pass through the crease to Martone who made no mistake and secured his second of the night to make it 4-0 for the Blue and White.
The Frontenacs responded quickly with their first goal of the game. Forward Christopher Thibodeau went for a skate in the Steelheads zone and utilized his patience to find Nathan Poole in front of the goal. Poole jammed the puck past a sprawling Leenders and chipped away at the Steelheads lead to make it 4-1.
The Steelheads continued to pressure after the Frontenacs got on the board, however the game entered the second intermission with the Blue and White leading 4-1.
Shots on Goal – 3 KGN/15 MISS
Third Period
The Steelheads started the third period on a powerplay, however were unable to produce much offense during the two minutes. The Trout did have a good scoring opportunity as the power play expired, however Vaccari made the stop.
Scoring chances were few and far between in the final frame, as the game’s physicality picked up and the specialty teams headed to work on numerous occasions. No quality chances were being produced by either team and the goaltenders made the necessary saves for their respective clubs.
Following a period of play with not much happening, the Steelheads iced the puck and Kingston took advantage of the offensive zone faceoff. Owen Outwater snapped the faceoff back to Ethan Miedema who ripped a wrist shot past Leenders to cut the Steelheads lead to 4-2.
After the Frontenacs cut the lead to 4-2, the Steelheads defensive structure appeared to fall apart and become significantly more unorganized. A shot was bobbled by Leenders and the rebound fell in front of the goal, Kai Schwindt was fortunately able to get a skate on the puck and dodge a bullet keeping the puck out of the net.
The Frontenacs elected to pull the goaltender with over 3 minutes on the clock, looking to tie the game. The Steelheads looked the other way and Hardie made an unselfish play and found Martone all alone in front of the empty net. Martone secured his third goal of the game and completed his first career hat trick to make it 5-3 Steelheads.
Despite two late power play opportunities for the Frontenacs, that was the last of the scoring and the Steelheads went on to win the game 5-2.
Shots on Goal – 13 KGN/9 MISS
Total Shots – 23 KGN/33 MISS
Three Stars:
- Porter Martone (3G)
- James Hardie (3A)
- Ethan Miedema (1G)
The Steelheads will next take the ice on Tuesday night, when they head to Peterborough to take on the Petes in a potential playoff preview. The Trout will return home on Wednesday to host their inaugural Indigenous Celebration game and unveil specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off.
