McGowan's injury latest setback as Frontenacs fall to Battalion

The defenseman was a scratch in Friday's loss, likely will miss the rest of the weekend games.

A tough way to begin a three-in-three weekend for the Kingston Frontenacs.

Goals continue to be few and far between for the Frontenacs in Friday's 4-1 loss to the visiting North Bay Battalion.

Kingston were in control for much of the first period throwing 11 shots at Battalion netminder Jack Lisson (22 saves) but it remained scoreless.

Kadre Pitre took Lisson's outlet pass in the neutral zone and broke in putting a backhander past Gavin Betts (32 saves) to open the scoring 5:53 into the second period.

Frontenacs had a couple of opportunities with the man advantage but couln't get the equalizer. 

Then Nolan Synder was hooked down midway through the second and was awarded a penalty shot. But he missed keeping the score at 1-0 for North Bay (14-10-1-0).

Kingston (10-11-2-2) was playing without defenseman Malik McGowan who is out with an injury that head coach Troy Mann says could keep him sidelined for their games in Barrie on Saturday and Sunday in Owen Sound.

With McGowan out, Andre Mondeux moved to the first pairing with Vann Williamson.

Mann says Betts made some big saves to keep the team in the game.

The Battalion made it 2-0 early in the third when Jonathan Kapageridis found Ethan Procyszyn alone in front and he one-timed the pass by Betts.

Frontenacs found themselves turning the puck over throughout the game especially in the third that defenseman Will Bishop believes is the result of them trying to hurry things.

The Frontenacs managed only three shots on goal in the third period, one of which resulted in a power play goal by Andrew Kuzma. 

That goal cut the deficit to 2-1 but the momentum was quickly lost after Lukas Moore took a tripping penalty after another giveway by the Frontenacs. That led to the Battalion's only power play of the game and Lirim Amidovski made the most of it to put North Bay up 3-1.

You can catch the rest of the games this weekend on Upper Canada Fuel and Burner Frontenacs Hockey on New Country 98.9. Jim Gilchrist will have the call of Saturday's game in Barrie at 7:30 pm, and Sunday's matinee in Owen Sound at 2 pm.

Story by Ken Hashizume