The Kingston Frontenacs (9-20-4) scored early in the first and got the finish they were looking for in the third as they beat the Belleville Bulls (19-13-0) by a 3-1 score.

The Frontenacs scored less than two minutes into the game against the Bulls as left winger Spencer Green put a shot past Bulls’ goaltender Malcolm Subban after a scramble in front of the goal. After Subban stopped two Kingston efforts, Green was there to swat the third past the Belleville goalie to give Kingston an early 1-0 lead. Alex Gubranson and Petr Beranek were credited with the assists on Green’s fifth goal of the season.

The Bulls responded quickly against their rivals when Brendan Gaunce swatted an airborne puck out of midair past Frontenacs’ starter Igor Bobkov. Austen Brassard and Jason Shaw had the assists on the goal after Gaunce knocked Brassard’s feed out of mid-air.

The Frontenacs had more opportunity to increase their lead in the first period, outshooting the Bulls by a 14-7 margin. Kingston couldn’t solve Subban in goal for Belleville who only let Green’s goal past him through two periods. The Frontenacs and Bulls went into the first period tied at one goal apiece.

Despite an uptempo performance from both squads, neither team could convert their scoring chances into goals during the second period as both goaltenders shut the door. Bobkov stood tall in goal for the Frontenacs, stopping all 10 shots put on him by Belleville shooters which were due in large part to two Bulls power plays, while Subban turned aside all four Frontenacs shots on goal. Both goaltenders pitched a second period shutout as the teams entered the second intermission tied at one.

The Frontenacs finally found a way past Subban after nine minutes in the third period when Darcy Greenaway put his first of two goals past the Belleville ‘tender Subban. Despite being outshot 8-0 through five minutes of the period, the Frontenacs found a way to score first when Greenaway put a shot towards the goal which was kicked in by Bulls’ defenceman Simon Gronvaldt. Greenaway’s first goal of the night was unassisted.

Greenaway scored his second opportunistic goal of the night in the third after a Nathan Cull shot was deflected in front of the goal by Belleville defenceman Jake Worrad. Greenaway pounced on the loose puck and knocked it in to seal the game for the Frontenacs who held on to the lead thanks to strong goaltending from Bobkov for the remaining five minutes despite an onslaught of offence from the Bulls.

With the win, the Frontenacs have gone 1-1 against the Bulls in the month of December after the Bulls defeated the Frontenacs by an 8-1 score in Kingston on December 2. Igor Bobkov stopped 34 of 35 Belleville shots to earn his ninth win of the season, outdueling Subban who stopped 22 of 25 shots for the Bulls.

The Frontenacs return to action on Friday night when they take on the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors on the road. Puck drop in Mississauga is set for 7:30 pm.

ICE CHIPS:  With the win the Frontenacs improve their record to 2-1 on this five game road trip through three games... Nathan Cull and Brendan Gaunce engaged in the only fight of the game... Greenaway’s two goals gave him a game high two points... Greenaway and Cody Alcock had a team high +2 in the victory... The Frontenacs killed six penalties en route to the victory while the power play couldn’t muster a goal in three tries... Bobkov and Greenaway were named the first and second star respectively for their efforts... Official attendance in Belleville was 2,265.