Frontenacs come up on wrong end of high-scoring game against the Otters

Defense struggles in latest loss, Kulemin had a pair of goals for Kingston.

If the Kingston Frontenacs are going to be successful this season, they will need to find a way to keep pucks out of their own net.

Sunday was a prime example where the Frontenacs got a great offensive output but fell 8-6 to the visiting Erie Otters at Slush Puppie Place.

Kingston built an early 2-0 first period lead on goals by Robin Kuzma and Aleks Kulemin, both tip-ins off point shots before the Otters would answer with a goal from Luka Arrko with 62 seconds left in the period.

The second period saw both teams trading goals, scoring a combined eight in the period with the Otters taking a 6-5 lead after 40 minutes. Two of Erie's goals came off defensive miscues at the blue line leading to odd man rushes the other way.

Captain Vann Williamson says that can't happen when you have the lead.

Head coach Troy Mann says their defense has been struggling out of the gate.

After a 43-save performance on Friday, Matthew Minchak (31 saves) seemed to have trouble making saves at critical times throughout the game.

There have also been rebound issues with Minchak in the game which made Mann think about taking out his struggling goaltender.

Down by two goals with 2:30 remaining in the third, Kingston had Minchak on the bench for an extra attacker. Then Erie was about to be called for a penalty when Nolan Buttar left the bench to join in and Kingston were also called for too many men with 1:22 left in regulation.

The Frontenacs have allowed a league-high 37 goals in seven games.

Williamson says that's has to change if they want to turn things around.

Liam Beemish scored twice while Michael Dec had a goal and three assists for the Otters (3-2-1-0). Liam Karbowski stopped 25 shots in his first start of the season.

Kulemin finished with a pair of goals while Adam Goljer (1 goal, 2 assists) and Tomas Pobezal (3 assists) each had three points for the Frontenacs (3-4-0-0).

The Frontenacs are preparing for three games in three nights this week, all on the road. It starts Thursday night when they are in Barrie to play the Colts.

You can catch the game with Jim Gilchrist on the call on Upper Canada Fuel and Burner Frontenacs Hockey. Game time on New Country 98.9 is 7 pm.

Story by Ken Hashizume