The Petes boarded the bus and headed to Kingston for the second last preseason game.
Not only was this a tune up game for rookie goalie Mason Johnston and the rest of the young squad wearing maroon and white, but a tease of what’s to come in less than a week when the Frontenacs visit the PMC next Thursday night to open up the 2024/25 season.
The Frontenacs got on the scoreboard first with Cedrick Guindon scoring in the first, and then Jakub Chromiak added another 40 seconds into the 2nd to make it 2-0.
The Petes weren’t without their chances as Colin Fitzgerald had a couple of golden opportunities, including a break away chance which led to a pad save, and a cut in front of the Frontenacs net, sending the puck high over the glass.
Frontenacs continued to take advantage of their opportunities, though, which included a goal with 3:28 left after a defensive giveaway by the Petes, and about a minute later, a 2 on 1 opportunity extended that lead to 4-0 after 2 periods.
With 64 seconds left in the 2nd period, the Petes handed over the goaltending duties to veteran Liam Sztuska. Johnston would finish the night stopping 29 of 33 shots.
In the third period the Petes were much improved, finding opportunities which led to their first goal of the game with Melee scoring on the PP and then less than 60 seconds later Aidan Young scored to cut that Frontenacs lead in half, making it 4-2.
Kingston would regain their 2 goal lead and hold off the surging Petes and win by a score of 5-2.
Sztuska stopped 12 of 14 shots in his period plus of work, while Vaccari stopped 42 of 44 shots through three periods.
The Petes will wrap up the preseason on Saturday night in Millbrook against the Guelph Storm
(Written by Graham Elliott)
