Frontenacs come away with win over 67's after letting lead slip

Aleks Kulemin scored in regulation and shootout.

A bit of a nail-biter for the Kingston Frontenacs.

A third period rally by Ottawa overcame a three-goal deficit but the Frontenacs escaped with a 4-3 shootout win over the 67's Friday night at Slush Puppie Place.

Jacob Battaglia found Andre Mondoux streaking down the left wing and the defenseman took Battaglia's pass into a gaping net to put the Fronts (17-18-2-2) up 1-0 in the first period.

They built a 3-0 lead in the second period on goals by Camden McCuaig and Aleks Kulemin.

For McCuaig, he has two goals since being recalled from Cornwall in Junior A and has been contributing in other areas.

He says he has been able to make the most in his second stint with the club this season.

Kulemin also scored in the shootout but late in regulation was checked from behind into the boards by Zach Houben and stayed down on the ice for a few minutes before getting up under his own power.

That third period saw Ottawa (28-7-1-2) come storming back with three goals, two coming off the stick of forward Brock Chitaroni including the game-tying goal with 3:52 left.

Head coach Troy Mann says he had a sense the 67's were poised to comeback.

Gavin Betts made 21 saves in his fourth straight start in place of the injured Matthew Minchak. Alex McLean has points in all four games he has played since being acquired by the Frontenacs last week in a trade from Guelph.

Mann says he has been able to fit well into the team's system.

Ryder Fetterolf stopped 23 shots in the loss. Kingston finished 0-for-4 with the man advantage, Ottawa went scoreless in their lone power play opportunity.

The Frontenacs head out on the road to Michigan next week with a stop in Saginaw Thursday night against the Spirit. You can listen to the game on Upper Canada Fuel and Burner Frontenacs Hockey on New Country 98.9.

Story by Ken Hashizume