67'S 2, FRONTENACS 1

The Ottawa 67's regained the lead atop the Ontario Hockey League's Eastern Conference and clinched the East division title by virtue of their 2-1 road victory against the Kingston Frontenacs on Monday.

The Frontenacs (18-33-6), who've bested the 67's three times in seven meetings - more than any other team in the division - were true to form at the K-Rock Centre.

"Kingston always makes it tough with how hard they work," head coach and general manager Chris Byrne said after the 67's (36-15-6) jumped over the Niagara IceDogs by one point in the conference standings. "Take away their first 18 games and they've won half their games."

Goalie Petr Mrazek stopped 33 of 34 shots in support of the 67's, who could only muster a pair of first-period goals.

Byrne was most pleased by his team's work ethic in the third period, even though the 67's were playing their third game in as many days.

"Our third period was impressive," Byrne said. "They found their legs, pushed back and generated a whack of chances."

The 67's scored twice within the first 10 minutes of play. Defenceman Cody Ceci opened the scoring at 16: 19 off a slapshot from the slot, absent any pressure from Frontenacs' forwards. Shane Prince earned an assist on the play to extend his league-leading point streak to a leaguehigh 18 games.

At 11: 59, centre Mike Cazzola made a slick pass off the faceoff to Tyler Toffoli, who buried his league-leading 45th goal.

Again, though, the Frontenacs refused to roll over. Nathan Cull received a pass from captain Cody Alcock on the rush and buried a powerplay goal at 14: 37 of the second period.

"Three games in three days is definitely tough," Prince said. "But (Monday's) third period was the best hockey we've played all weekend."