In a highly anticipated showdown between top Eastern Conference contenders, the Brantford Bulldogs saw their momentum halted in a 4-2 loss to the Kingston Frontenacs at Slush Puppie Place on Friday night.
Brantford struck first midway through the opening frame when Noah Nelson capitalized on a deflected shot to beat Kingston netminder Charlie Schenkel.
The Frontenacs responded on the power play, as Tuomas Uronen’s one-timer found its way through traffic to even the score.
Early in the second, Patrick Thomas put the Bulldogs back in front with a 5-on-3 power-play marker, but controversy followed.
A Nick Lardis goal that would have secured his 100th point of the season was overturned for goaltender interference, a call that proved costly.
Minutes later, Jacob Battaglia and Cedrick Guindon combined to tie the game, and Kingston took its first lead when Gage Heyes buried a rebound late in the period.
The Bulldogs pushed in the final frame but were stifled by Kingston’s defensive trap.
Heyes sealed the victory with an empty-netter, securing two crucial points for the Frontenacs, who now sit just one point behind Brantford in the standings.
The Bulldogs look to bounce back on Sunday when they visit the Ottawa 67’s for a 2:00 p.m. matchup.
