Polesello and McKeown’s heroics lead Kingston to 2-0 series lead – Sunday’s 3 Stars

No. 1 Star - Robert Polesello, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

There were three series active in the Ontario Hockey League Eastern quarterfinal Sunday, headlined by a wild 5-4 win by Kingston over Peterborough to give the Frontenacs a 2-0 lead in the series before both buses head west down the 401. The Petes had leads of 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 in this game, but the 1994-born former Vaughan Viper Robert Polesello tied the game twice, including a re-direct with just 49 seconds left in the contest to send the game to overtime.

In the extra frame, Kingston won on a seeing-eye shot from their 2012 top priority selection pick Roland McKeown, who also assisted Polsello on the 1-1 goal way back in the first period. Sam Bennett, who should be a top-5 selection in the upcoming NHL draft, also tied the game in the third period, converting an excellent passing play set up by Henri Ikonen. The defeat has to sting for the Petes, who must not only have to come back from a 2-0 series deficit, but couldn't get the victory on a night that Fronts goalie Matt Mahalak struggled: the Frontenacs out-shot Peterborough 37-25 through regulation but needed the overtime period to eke out the one-goal win.

No. 2 Star - Carter Verhaeghe, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)

Sticking in the OHL, the Ice Dogs were one of just two road teams to earn a split in the first two games of the playoffs, the other being Owen Sound. Seventh-seeded Niagara stunned North Bay with a 3-2 win with Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Carter Verhaeghe knocking home the winner with just 41 seconds left in the contest to foil a Battalion comeback effort.

Earlier in the contest, Verhaeghe earned the primary assist on a goal by winger Anthony DiFruscia that gave Niagara a 2-0 lead late in the second period. Still, North Bay fought back and let fly lots of rubber at Niagara goalie Brent Moran and ultimately tying the game with two goals in 32 seconds early in the third from Nick Paul and Brenden Miller.

The Ice Dogs followed the script of a lower-seeded team perfectly, relying on Moran (who stopped 34-of-36) and getting a couple of points from its top offensive star in Verhaeghe.

No. 3 Star - Shea Theodore, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

The Seattle-Everett series is following a 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format, so even though the T-Birds are the top seed, they were on the road in the second game. They won Game 1 largely due to a 38-save effort by goaltender Taran Kozun and hanging on by the skin of their teeth, but they were forced to come back in Game 2 after the Tips took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Carson Stadnyk.

Anaheim Ducks first rounder Shea Theodore went to work. First, he assisted on Robert Lipsbergs goal that tied the game at one early in the second, and combined with Lipsbergs to assist on a Russell Maxwell goal to give the T-Birds some insurance. Good weekend for Anaheim prospects, as Quebec Remparts forward Nick Sorensen was Buzzing the Net's first star Saturday night.

Honourable Mention - Logan Nelson, Victoria Royals (WHL) - This is just an excuse to use the term "Logan's Run'"when discussing the Victoria Royals playoff fortunes. We expected Spokane-Victoria to be the closer of the four series in the Western Conference, and it has yet to disappoint, with the Royals requiring OT twice to take a 2-0 lead. The Sunday winner was scored by Logan Nelson, not to be confused by teammate Logan Fisher, who also scored for the Royals Sunday.

Potent Notables: Vancouver Canucks prospect Cole Cassels scored the OT winner for Oshawa, giving the Gens a 2-0 series lead over the Mississauga Maple Fish… Winnipeg Jets pick Eric Comrie made 44 saves for Tri-City in a 3-1 losing effort against Kelowna… Brandon captain Ryan Pulock earned a goal and an assist in an 8-4 laugher over Regina. The Wheaties won both road games in Regina to open their series… Dysin Mayo had a goal and an assist in Edmonton's 3-1 Game 2 win over Prince Albert.