67's crashes party, beats Frontenacs in OHL opener

Vandenberg with a hat trick for Ottawa in 6-2 victory.

It was a rough start to the OHL season for the Kingston Frontenacs.

The visiting Ottawa 67's made quick work against an inexperienced Frontenacs team in front of 3,742 fans at Slush Puppie Place on Friday night.

Thomas Vandenberg had a four-point night including a hat trick in a 6-2 victory for the 67's.

Ottawa got on the board 2:17 into the first period on Vandenburg's first goal on the power play. Brock Chitaroni scored at the 9:46 mark followed by a goal a minute later from Nic Whitehead and it was 3-0 for the 67's.

With four of their veterans at NHL camp, Frontenacs head coach Troy Mann admits they were understaffed.

Kingston (0-1-0-0) replied in the second with the first career OHL goal from Ty Robar at the 3:08 mark but Vandenburg recorded his second of the game to restore the three-goal lead.

A couple of the goals scored by Ottawa (1-0-0-0) were the result of the forwards getting by the Frontenacs defense.

With the 67's up 5-1, Mann says he did consider taking goaltender Gavin Betts out of the game.

Betts ended up stopping 36 of 42 shots, Jaeden Nelson finished with 17 saves in the win.

Nolan Snyder had the other Frontenacs goal, his first of his OHL career.

Mann says he isn't too concerned about the team's play.

Kingston went were scoreless on their lone power play on the night. Ottawa scored once on their five opportunities.

The next game for the Frontenacs is Sunday night when they travel to Oshawa to play the Generals.

Catch the game on Upper Canada Fuel and Burner Kingston Frontenacs Hockey on New Country 98.9 with Jim Gilchrist at 6:05 pm.

Story by Ken Hashizume