Thought Kingston played a pretty good game last night. Thankfully they weathered the storm from the first 5 minutes or so as Battalion was looking like they were trying to put them through the boards with some of those hits that we really didn’t have an answer for and the game could have gone in the wrong direction.
The defence played pretty solid, they got in the lanes, had good sticks and competed hard. Couple bad turnovers but Vaccari came up big. I thought the Poole and Ride fight helped change the direction of the game for Kingston in that it slowed down the Battalions physicality, up to that point I don’t think Kingston had even registered a shot.
Burns had a stupid penalty that ended up costing them, but the kid competes endlessly, and he’s the style of defencemen you need for playoffs. I know people will be hard on the guy for that but I’ll take that any day for everything else he brings to the game. As I said Vaccari was excellent, the only goal that from Battalion had that wasn’t really fluky was Nelson’s bullet where Vaccari seemed partially screened.
I’m really torn with Soto on the third, the kid constantly competes and he’s in a tough situation. Thibideau can’t play on that 3rd line, that would just be a defensive nightmare. Frasca seems to be struggling, his foot speed doesn’t show well when the game is fast and the puck seemed to keep jumping off his stick. Hopkins lacks strength to be really effective, I would switch these two around, put Hopkins back at center where he can use his speed and move Frasca to the wing.
Dubois and Hemstrong continue to play well together, they just couldn’t get shots on net. I would like to see Soto with these two and put McNamara to the third with Frasca and Hopkins.
I also have been liking Miedema’s game lately, I really think he’s becoming a better all round player with Heyes and Poole. I think those two force him to work harder and he’s starting to win puck battles and use his body more, he’s starting to be effective on the boards. I think once he starts putting it in the net the flood gates could open for him as his confidence grows. Was a bit surprised that line wasn’t used more to respond to the Battalion’s physical play.
I know the Battalion will feel good about the win, but I’m sure those guys are a little worried. They lost their top scorer, they were in their own building with the crowd behind them, had all of the early power plays (some were rediculous) and really only had one clear decisive goal. Kingston could have Battalion on their heels if they come at this the same way Saturday.
