KINGSTON, Canada (Interstat) — The Ottawa 67’s will visit the Kingston Frontenacs in minor league hockey action Friday at Slush Puppie Place, with both teams looking to build on competitive starts. Ottawa enters at 7-3, while Kingston is 7-5. The matchup gives the Frontenacs a home test against a 67’s club that has won consistently despite a tight loss earlier this season in Kingston.

Ottawa most recently earned a 3-2 overtime win against Oshawa. Spencer Bowes led the way with two goals on four shots, Jaeden Nelson made 22 saves and Filip Ekberg added two assists. Bowes has been Ottawa’s most dangerous offensive threat during a strong recent stretch, scoring nine goals over his past nine games while generating steady shot volume. He had two goals and four shots in the Oshawa win after producing a goal and five shots at Brampton and a goal and six shots at Brantford. Ottawa also has recent wins over Brampton, Brantford, Erie, Oshawa and Peterborough, though its earlier meeting with Kingston ended in a 3-2 overtime loss.

Kingston most recently dropped a 5-2 decision at Brampton. Ty Robar scored once on one shot in that game, while Cole Zurawski scored once on six shots and Nolan Buttar recorded an assist. Robar remains a player to watch for the Frontenacs and has three goals and one assist over his past seven games. Kingston has shown scoring depth during its 7-5 start, with wins over Oshawa, Brantford, Brampton, Barrie and Peterborough. The Frontenacs also beat Ottawa 3-2 in overtime in their most recent head-to-head meeting, a result that could give Kingston confidence in a close game.

The 67’s have been productive away from home, and the Frontenacs have had stretches of high-scoring play. Ottawa’s challenge will be containing Kingston’s attack while getting another strong performance from Bowes and a defense that has helped the club to seven wins. Kingston will try to use home ice and its recent edge in the series to hand Ottawa another tight defeat.

The teams are scheduled to meet again later in Ottawa. The game on Friday could serve as an early measure of where each club stands in a crowded race, with both sides separated by only two points in the standings. Ottawa will look to turn its recent winning form into a road result, while Kingston will aim to rebound from its most recent loss and protect home ice.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Kingston 4, Ottawa 3.