After a night in which they significantly outshot their opponent in a big victory, the Soo Greyhounds had a chance to try to build on what was one of their best games in recent weeks.
Instead, shot production was at a premium and they came away frustrated following the second game of a three-game road trip against teams in the Ontario Hockey League’s East Division.
The Greyhounds mustered just 16 shots in a 3-1 setback against the Kingston Frontenacs in Kingston on Friday night.
“We made a decision early on, for the first two periods really, that we wanted to be playmakers,” Greyhounds coach John Dean said. “Where we found success last night (against Peterborough) was using our speed. We’re a very fast team that we don’t showcase enough. We want to transport the puck with our legs. We don’t need to make any pretty plays through the neutral zone.”
Dean added that he felt the Greyhounds passed up shot opportunities against the Frontenacs.
“We really want to be a volume team right now that moves pucks quickly through the neutral zone and gets pucks in behind the opposition D,” Dean said.
Dean also said he felt the Greyhounds “tried to make plays when they weren’t there” at times in the game.
After a Kingston goal was waved off in the second period following a review, Dean said he saw signs that players were adjusting in the final minutes of the second period and at points in the second half of the third period, but “it’s too late against a good hockey club.”
Veteran forward Marco Mignosa said the Greyhounds “weren’t hungry enough” in the game.
“You’re not going to win with 16 shots,” Mignosa added.
The veteran forward added that “there were too many turnovers in our own end and even at the bluelines.”
“Too many playmakers,” Mignosa added.
The Greyhounds opened the scoring as Noel Nordh deflected a point shot by Chase Reid past Kingston goaltender Charlie Schenkel to give the Sault a 1-0 lead 4:51 into the opening period.
Kingston wasted little time tying the score at one as Cedrick Guindon deflected a Vann Williamson pass past Greyhounds goaltender Landon Miller at 7:58.
Kingston took a 2-1 lead as Tuomas Uronen went to the net and had a pass from Guindon on the right wing deflect off his skate and past Miller at 10:20 of the second period. Officials took a look at the goal, but it stood following a short review.
Later in the period, Kingston thought they had extended the lead to 3-1 after a chance by Joey Willis at the side of the Sault net off a loose puck that bounced off the end boards appeared to potentially crosse the goalline. The play was waved off initially on the ice and a review by referees Blake Beer and Dave Lewis led to the goal staying off the board.
Kingston would eventually make it a 3-1 game as defenceman Maleek McGowan skated the puck into the Sault zone after gathering it near the Kingston blueline. McGowan broke in on a shorthanded 2-on-1 and proceeded to beat Miller with a shot from the left circle high short side up under the crossbar at 3:40 of the third.
Miller made 31 saves for the Greyhounds.
Uronen and Guindon had a goal and an assist each for Kingston in the victory.
Schenkel stopped 15 shots to pick up his first win with the Frontenacs.
After a day off on Saturday, the Greyhounds will wrap up the weekend on Sunday afternoon in Ottawa with a game against the 67’s.
Friday’s loss drops the Greyhounds record to 17-24-1-0 on the season. The team remains eighth in the OHL’s Western Conference standings and four points ahead of the Guelph Storm for the final playoff spot.
The Storm dropped a 6-0 decision on the road Friday in London against the Knights.
The Owen Sound Attack also pulled to within four points of the Greyhounds after picking up an overtime win over the Brampton Steelheads on Friday night in Brampton.
Both the Storm and Attack have a game in hand on the Greyhounds as well.
With the win, Kingston improves to 22-11-5-2 as they continue to battle for positioning in the Eastern Conference.