Kingston Frontenacs 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part 3)

[ktownfan]

To be fair, the Frontenacs were the AAA sponsor for 10 years until Queen's decided to scoop up almost every single minor sports association in town.

As for why they don't cater to the Queens audience - I think there's too much of a NIMBY mindset. Residents and students have gone at it for ages around the partying and stuff - and when a group of students do get group seats, there's lots of complaints about how they're too rowdy and disrespectful.

I remember a game 3 years ago. Stewart, Poole and Heyes were running around hitting everything in site. I think one shift all 3 were in the box. There was a group of 20 Queens students behind them standing up cheering making noise, having fun, getting the crowd into it. It was awesome. The team fed off it and even saluted them after the game. They were back one more game, but never saw them again. Give them a student rate or a beer with their ticket

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

that’s the problem with Kingstons fan base most of the fans are all old and very casual so seeing a bunch of university guys getting all excited and having a great time wouldn't be right up Kingstons alley. Whoever is in charge of ticket sales needs to put the tickets to 10-15 dollars for people in school. You’ll get way more people that way so it works out in the end and you don’t have the place half full for a playoff game.

Hypothetically if kingston wins a few rounds it makes sense to jack up the prices then when there is more hype around the team and there is better hockey but this is round 1 against the 2 seed so I don’t know why they’re this expensive I can understand why many probably won’t be going.

Having watched the Fronts play in just about every OHL rink the past few years, I have to say next to Mississauga, Kingston is the most placid fan base. Obviously there are loyal STH's and other fans - but we are a fairly tame bunch. I get a kick out of the raucous fans (within reason - they get annoying if they are constantly getting up during the play)

 

[ScoutLife4]

that’s the problem with Kingstons fan base most of the fans are all old and very casual so seeing a bunch of university guys getting all excited and having a great time wouldn't be right up Kingstons alley. Whoever is in charge of ticket sales needs to put the tickets to 10-15 dollars for people in school. You’ll get way more people that way so it works out in the end and you don’t have the place half full for a playoff game.

Hypothetically if kingston wins a few rounds it makes sense to jack up the prices then when there is more hype around the team and there is better hockey but this is round 1 against the 2 seed so I don’t know why they’re this expensive I can understand why many probably won’t be going.

I feel like OHL needs to adjust its ticketing model in general.
Child/Student/Senior should have a flat rate ticket. 15$ would be fair I think.
They need to promote more walk ups somehow.
I know its around 15$ a ticket if you get the cheapest season seat but most students would not have the money to commit to a season seat. -I think a lot of SR'S are in this same boat now with the cost of living and lack of increases to pensions.

I was there last night and although 2,500 seats may have been sold i would be surprised if there was even 2,000 there. -Hopefully this win gets them some more support for Weds night as they are going to need it.

 

[frontsfan67]

Having watched the Fronts play in just about every OHL rink the past few years, I have to say next to Mississauga, Kingston is the most placid fan base. Obviously there are loyal STH's and other fans - but we are a fairly tame bunch. I get a kick out of the raucous fans (within reason - they get annoying if they are constantly getting up during the play)

Oh without a doubt. And it’s pretty unreal because Mississauga just lost their team. I know people say springer won’t sell and all that but for the right offer I’m sure he would.

Concerts and other stuff there does really well and is definitely carrying the whole thing. The fronts are just a shit show. Best season was when they had vilardi I believe they averaged around 37 or 3800 a game and things looked like they were turning a corner. Then a last place finish in 2019 to land wright, a good promising team and then Covid happened and they missed a prime year there. Then wright gets traded with others and the team is in the bottom again. Then this year was supposed to be a way better year and they finish 7th in the conference. Next year if their attendance doesn’t drastically improve it’ll be a big let down.

 

[frontsfan67]

I remember a game 3 years ago. Stewart, Poole and Heyes were running around hitting everything in site. I think one shift all 3 were in the box. There was a group of 20 Queens students behind them standing up cheering making noise, having fun, getting the crowd into it. It was awesome. The team fed off it and even saluted them after the game. They were back one more game, but never saw them again. Give them a student rate or a beer with their ticket

The person in charge of sales probably has never heard of supply and demand. Can Jack up the prices of london knights tickets and people will Buy them no problem. But the fronts can’t be doing that lol nobody wants to see a last place team every year. They need to change the prices for sure.

No college kid is forking out 45+ dollars (food included) every week when they can go to a bar, have a good time, watch some better hockey on the tvs there for less than that.

 

[zaluty]

No college kid is forking out 45+ dollars (food included) every week when they can go to a bar, have a good time, watch some better hockey on the tvs there for less than that.

You haven't been to a bar lately lol. But I do understand your post about prices. The atmosphere is electric when there is a good number of students in attendance

 

[ottsabrefan]

Oh without a doubt. And it’s pretty unreal because Mississauga just lost their team. I know people say springer won’t sell and all that but for the right offer I’m sure he would.

Concerts and other stuff there does really well and is definitely carrying the whole thing. The fronts are just a shit show. Best season was when they had vilardi I believe they averaged around 37 or 3800 a game and things looked like they were turning a corner. Then a last place finish in 2019 to land wright, a good promising team and then Covid happened and they missed a prime year there. Then wright gets traded with others and the team is in the bottom again. Then this year was supposed to be a way better year and they finish 7th in the conference. Next year if their attendance doesn’t drastically improve it’ll be a big let down.

They need to win plain and simple. I was in London during their bleak years and the fans didn’t go there either. You can only have so many disappointing seasons. At some point your fans need a team to at least make the Finals.

 

[Truthking]

They need to win plain and simple. I was in London during their bleak years and the fans didn’t go there either. You can only have so many disappointing seasons. At some point your fans need a team to at least make the Finals.

Exactly. They have trouble getting great crowds with good teams, and this team is not that. People talk about the prices, but to be honest I think the tickets could be free and they still wouldn’t fill the place. People just don’t care anymore.

 

[leafs4life94]

No Thibodeau tonight, Cavallin in and Williamson still in for Chromiak

 

[leafs4life94]

I feel like I may be in the minority but our overagers are not good enough to win a series, let alone 2 games.

I have NEVER seen a more pathetic display of body language than Roman Schmidt tonight. Every single period he was 30 seconds before anyone else off the ice, he was awful with the puck and was slow against speed rushes. Nothing positive to say.

Dubois is a weird one - he never looks like he's trying. It looks like he's going through the motions and never seems to get involved physically.

Holmes could be ok as a 3rd OA and PP specialist because he's got all the offensive skill in the world but is lacking defensively.

It feels weird to say, but I really hope Thibodeau for Cavallin was an injury and not a coaches decision. Cavallin looked flat out over matched, and if Thibodeau can't go and assuming Hemstrom can't go (more on that later), I'd have to assume they bring in Chromiak and go 11/7.

As for Hemstrom, I really hope he's okay. They didn't show a replay love so I don't know exactly what happened but Arnsby deserves zero benefit of the doubt. This is the second major against the same player, this time leaving on a stretcher. As much as I'd love for a Frontenac to feed him what he deserves, he's gotta be suspended at least for the rest of this series.

Last but not least, goaltending falters. Obviously Wakely is dynamic offensively, but his first and third goal were both clean shots that beat him, and the last goal he didn't track the puck quick enough and it got poked free and led to a wide open net.

I wish I could say I'd be back there Sunday but after tonight I have no confidence in that.

 

[frontsfan67]

Rough start but good finish. Sucks they fell short. Reffing was absolutely atrocious.


Knew it was a matter of time before arnsby injured someone. Always been a pretty dirty player, a lot of time plays right on that line. Poor Hemstrom.


Hopkins was the best front tonight. 0 goals but could’ve scored 2 or 3- had some great chances. 3 assists for his highest scoring game of the season. Very bright future for him next year. 4Pts in 4 games here in the playoffs.


Oh and Uens and Williamson played absolutely horrible. Never seen Williamson look so bad. Uens had a really bad game too even for him. Burns did really well. I think he was the best d man for the fronts tonight.

 

[frontsfan67]

Also Kingston players looked defeated after the game. Yes it’s a tough loss but the series isn’t over yet. However I have 0 confidence after seeing them at the end of the game. And it’s never easy in north bay.

Very good effort by the boys if this is their last home game. But those mistakes by the defencemen in the first period really hurt them.

 

[beastintheeast]

Also Kingston players looked defeated after the game. Yes it’s a tough loss but the series isn’t over yet. However I have 0 confidence after seeing them at the end of the game. And it’s never easy in north bay.

Very good effort by the boys if this is their last home game. But those mistakes by the defencemen in the first period really hurt them.

The challenge is to have the leadership that has been at the top and had winning seasons to lead and pick them up. There is nothing anyone but the players can do to turn it around.

Unfortunately, there may be a vacuum in that area.

NB is not going to want to travel back to kingston so I think you are goingt o see a very tough NB team and Devin at his best

 

[barclayplager]

should be handshakes all round after this game

 

[ktownfan]

Lotsof guys gave it their best effort, goaltending a little soft and Uens!! good luck in the bay , but I'm not too confident

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

I feel like I may be in the minority but our overagers are not good enough to win a series, let alone 2 games.

I have NEVER seen a more pathetic display of body language than Roman Schmidt tonight. Every single period he was 30 seconds before anyone else off the ice, he was awful with the puck and was slow against speed rushes. Nothing positive to say.

Dubois is a weird one - he never looks like he's trying. It looks like he's going through the motions and never seems to get involved physically.

Holmes could be ok as a 3rd OA and PP specialist because he's got all the offensive skill in the world but is lacking defensively.

It feels weird to say, but I really hope Thibodeau for Cavallin was an injury and not a coaches decision. Cavallin looked flat out over matched, and if Thibodeau can't go and assuming Hemstrom can't go (more on that later), I'd have to assume they bring in Chromiak and go 11/7.

As for Hemstrom, I really hope he's okay. They didn't show a replay love so I don't know exactly what happened but Arnsby deserves zero benefit of the doubt. This is the second major against the same player, this time leaving on a stretcher. As much as I'd love for a Frontenac to feed him what he deserves, he's gotta be suspended at least for the rest of this series.

Last but not least, goaltending falters. Obviously Wakely is dynamic offensively, but his first and third goal were both clean shots that beat him, and the last goal he didn't track the puck quick enough and it got poked free and led to a wide open net.

I wish I could say I'd be back there Sunday but after tonight I have no confidence in that.

What are you talking about ?I normally agree with your posts, but you either were not paying attention or decided you knew everything already.

First off, I'm not sure what you saw but Cavallin didn't look overmatched - actually you have to play to be overmatched and much like Hopkins ,Thibodeau and McNamara in game 3 he didn't play much after the 1st. What I saw was that In his first 3 shifts he had a deflection on the net, a pass to Hopkins a that resulted in a shot and a rebound attempt. Additionally he forced a turnover by NB. He had one bad shift where he tried to deflect it to Hopkins but it ended up going to North Bay.

Thibodeau isn't a playoff player - he is selfish and coughs up the puck. He is easily overpowered.

Holmes could be decent pp specialist -- maybe - but that would mean that he doesn't get shots blocked that result in the puck going the other way because he's not going to catch them.

 

[Handcuffhockey]

I feel like I may be in the minority but our overagers are not good enough to win a series, let alone 2 games.

I have NEVER seen a more pathetic display of body language than Roman Schmidt tonight. Every single period he was 30 seconds before anyone else off the ice, he was awful with the puck and was slow against speed rushes. Nothing positive to say.

Dubois is a weird one - he never looks like he's trying. It looks like he's going through the motions and never seems to get involved physically.

Holmes could be ok as a 3rd OA and PP specialist because he's got all the offensive skill in the world but is lacking defensively.

It feels weird to say, but I really hope Thibodeau for Cavallin was an injury and not a coaches decision. Cavallin looked flat out over matched, and if Thibodeau can't go and assuming Hemstrom can't go (more on that later), I'd have to assume they bring in Chromiak and go 11/7.

As for Hemstrom, I really hope he's okay. They didn't show a replay love so I don't know exactly what happened but Arnsby deserves zero benefit of the doubt. This is the second major against the same player, this time leaving on a stretcher. As much as I'd love for a Frontenac to feed him what he deserves, he's gotta be suspended at least for the rest of this series.

Last but not least, goaltending falters. Obviously Wakely is dynamic offensively, but his first and third goal were both clean shots that beat him, and the last goal he didn't track the puck quick enough and it got poked free and led to a wide open net.

I wish I could say I'd be back there Sunday but after tonight I have no confidence in that.

Don’t know if I agree on this at all. The whole team looked flat coming out in the first. But leadership on the ice has been coming from this group. The only real issue I had with Schmidt was the slingshot pass, it was horrible and the coaches should have changed it up rather than watching the same issues over and over but other than that I thought he did his job. He’s getting points, playing the body and getting a ton of ice. Dubois has been terrific, his face off wins alone (especially in Kingstons end) give Kingston possession and he is only one of three or four players who has a positive +/- this series.

Holmes has played better this series than the regular season in my opinion. This is an extremely talented North Bay team, they probably had the strongest acquisitions at the trade deadline and the core team has been in the playoffs 3 years in a row.

Vaccari had two very weak goals that should have never went in, I never like placing blame on the goalies but this was a game they really needed him to step up, the goal Wakely scored with the steal on Uens should have never gotten that far, Uens was taken out of the play with a significant two handed bear hug hold just prior to that steal with no call.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Kingston didn't play with urgency last night at times when it was needed.
The first period the Refs were letting a lot go both ways.

I know Ludwinski was banged up bad going into last nights game where they thought they were going to have to scratch him after pre skate and insert Chromiak who was listed as the reserve back in.
Mason needed to make a couple of those saves last night and it could have been a different game.
Kingston struggled at times to get out of their own end when NB would pressure the D.

McNamara has been absolutely horrible. -He should not be in the lineup tomorrow night.
I have not been impressed with Holmes at all either. -I do believe he's not 100% right now thought as well.
Schmidt at times has looked disengaged and the body language was not good last night.
Dubois has been doing his job dominating the faceoff circle.
Uens imo had a really bad game last night. -When he was pressured deep in his end he almost always coughed up the puck last night.

I don't think Kingston has the ability to string together 3 in a row to beat NB so its not looking for good the Fronts.

 

[FrontalLobe]

Win as a team, lose as a team, but an honest question. Of the 16 teams that made the playoffs, what other team would Vacarri be the starting goalie on? I'll wait...

 

[ScoutLife4]

Win as a team, lose as a team, but an honest question. Of the 16 teams that made the playoffs, what other team would Vacarri be the starting goalie on? I'll wait...

I don't think he's a starting goalie on all 19 other teams.

 

[leafs4life94]

What are you talking about ?I normally agree with your posts, but you either were not paying attention or decided you knew everything already.

First off, I'm not sure what you saw but Cavallin didn't look overmatched - actually you have to play to be overmatched and much like Hopkins ,Thibodeau and McNamara in game 3 he didn't play much after the 1st. What I saw was that In his first 3 shifts he had a deflection on the net, a pass to Hopkins a that resulted in a shot and a rebound attempt. Additionally he forced a turnover by NB. He had one bad shift where he tried to deflect it to Hopkins but it ended up going to North Bay.

Thibodeau isn't a playoff player - he is selfish and coughs up the puck. He is easily overpowered.

Holmes could be decent pp specialist -- maybe - but that would mean that he doesn't get shots blocked that result in the puck going the other way because he's not going to catch them.

From the angle I was sitting at the third NB goal looked like a brutal attempt at a blind centering pass and with the timing of that giveaway right 20 seconds after NB went up 2-0 - but I just went back and watched the replay and it was definitely not how I saw it so I'll gladly retract the Cavallin part.

Don’t know if I agree on this at all. The whole team looked flat coming out in the first. But leadership on the ice has been coming from this group. The only real issue I had with Schmidt was the slingshot pass, it was horrible and the coaches should have changed it up rather than watching the same issues over and over but other than that I thought he did his job. He’s getting points, playing the body and getting a ton of ice. Dubois has been terrific, his face off wins alone (especially in Kingstons end) give Kingston possession and he is only one of three or four players who has a positive +/- this series.

Holmes has played better this series than the regular season in my opinion. This is an extremely talented North Bay team, they probably had the strongest acquisitions at the trade deadline and the core team has been in the playoffs 3 years in a row.

Vaccari had two very weak goals that should have never went in, I never like placing blame on the goalies but this was a game they really needed him to step up, the goal Wakely scored with the steal on Uens should have never gotten that far, Uens was taken out of the play with a significant two handed bear hug hold just prior to that steal with no call.

I haven't had any issues with Schmidt all year so hopefully it was just frustration but the body language was not great.

With Dubois - it could be because he plays so non-chalantly but whenever I watch him it just feels like there's more to give.

 

[Aces89]

Worst 20 minutes of hockey I e ever seen. Zero passion, blind passes, zero positional play, puck watching, no one moving their feet. The fight that Meidiena had with Leblanc after the bar down stuff should have given them a lift. After the Poole goal they played better because they were moving their feet. They need to limit the scrums tho. There’s a time and place but situationally last night it wasn’t time

 

[Truthking]

Kingston didn't play with urgency last night at times when it was needed.
The first period the Refs were letting a lot go both ways.

I know Ludwinski was banged up bad going into last nights game where they thought they were going to have to scratch him after pre skate and insert Chromiak who was listed as the reserve back in.
Mason needed to make a couple of those saves last night and it could have been a different game.
Kingston struggled at times to get out of their own end when NB would pressure the D.

McNamara has been absolutely horrible. -He should not be in the lineup tomorrow night.
I have not been impressed with Holmes at all either. -I do believe he's not 100% right now thought as well.
Schmidt at times has looked disengaged and the body language was not good last night.
Dubois has been doing his job dominating the faceoff circle.
Uens imo had a really bad game last night. -When he was pressured deep in his end he almost always coughed up the puck last night.

I don't think Kingston has the ability to string together 3 in a row to beat NB so its not looking for good the Fronts.

I don’t understand the idea of benching every guy on this team that someone thinks had a bad effort. Who are we thinking is going to take their spot? If they had better options they’d use them.
I think in the playoffs I’ve seen people say that just about every dman on the team should be not playing, as well as vaccari.
And what are we thinking about cooper trading for overagers and keeping ludwinski? Was squeaking in the playoffs and losing quietly in the first round the experience he thought the younger guys needed? They could’ve got these same results without ludwinski. Fireable offence in my opinion.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I don’t understand the idea of benching every guy on this team that someone thinks had a bad effort. Who are we thinking is going to take their spot? If they had better options they’d use them.
I think in the playoffs I’ve seen people say that just about every dman on the team should be not playing, as well as vaccari.
And what are we thinking about cooper trading for overagers and keeping ludwinski? Was squeaking in the playoffs and losing quietly in the first round the experience he thought the younger guys needed? They could’ve got these same results without ludwinski. Fireable offence in my opinion.

Accountability for lack of effort and reoccurring mistakes being made.
Mcnamara could come out and Thibodeau back in but now unfortunately I think they have to fill Hemstroms spot so I doubt it happens.
I think they truly thought they had a shot at the east and thats why they kept Ludwinski.
Its always easy to look back after the fact when it doesnt go their way and point out the mistakes.

 

[Truthking]

Accountability for lack of effort and reoccurring mistakes being made.
Mcnamara could come out and Thibodeau but now unfortunately I think they have to fill Hemstroms spot so I doubt it happens.
I think they truly thought they had a shot at the east and thats why they kept Ludwinski.
Its always easy to look back after the fact when it doesnt go their way and point out the mistakes.

At what point in this season did they ever look like a team that could win the east? If you thought that then I don’t think you should be in charge of a hockey club.