Late goal by 67's ends Frontenacs' season

Power play came up short again as Kingston were eliminated in four straight.

A much stronger game for the Frontenacs in Game 4 against the visiting Ottawa 67's.

But in the end, it was another loss and it marked the end of the season for Kingston.

Filip Ekberg broke a 2-2 tie scoring with 30 seconds left in the third period giving the 67's a 3-2 victory to complete a four-game sweep of the Frontenacs in their first-round playoff series.

Matthew Michack got the start for the Frontenacs for the second straight game. But just 2:40 into the first period, Kingston was behind 2-0 and Minchak was replaced by Gavin Betts (20 saves).

Head coach Troy Mann for one wasn't too happy with the way his goaltender and the rest of the team started the game.

The Frontenacs did settle down and got one back late in the period. Matthew Frost on the right slot snapped one past Ryder Fetterolf (20 saves) to cut Ottawa's lead down to 2-1.

Robin Kuzma tied it up 67 seconds into the second period when he jumped on a loose puck in front of the crease and it was a 2-2 game.

The Frontenacs had plenty of changes to take the lead in the period. Ottawa was shorthanded four times but Kingston could not capitalize.

Forward Jack Dever says the lack of scoring with the man advantage (2-for 17 in four games) plagued the team the entire series.

One of those penalties was a major by David Bedkowski for a blindside hit on Kieran Dervin. Dervin laid down on the ice for several minutes before being helped off the ice.

Dever says losing Dervin, and Tomas Pobezal for the second straight game, meant other guys had to step up.

It looked like the game was going to go past regulation as the game went down to the final minute. That was until Ekberg snuck in and beat Betts stick side for the winning goal.

Mann says it was a defensive breakdown that allowed the 67's to get the goal and clinch the series.

For a team that started the season with high aspirations, the Frontenacs quietly head into the off-season wondering what might have been. 

For Devers, defensemen Will Bishop and Maleek McGowan, Thursday marked the last OHL game of their careers.

Story by Ken Hashizume