Frontenacs Watson, Lammikko Quietly Becoming Great Duo in the OHL

Ryan Kujawinski #17 of the Kingston Frontenacs celebrates his third period goal against the Ottawa 67’s with team mates Michael Moffat #4, Henri Ikonen #23 and Spencer Watson #96 during an OHL game at Canadian Tire Centre on March 11, 2014 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

(March 10, 2014 – Source: Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images North America)

The Kingston Frontenacs and the rest of the OHL season is fully underway with each team now having a week’s worth of games under their belts. With teams now getting into the swing of things, players are bursting onto the scene. Players like Alex DeBrincat, Matthew Tkachuk, Josh Ho-Sang and Zach Senyshyn are making all the headlines, and deservedly so; however, the Kingston Frontenacs have an unsung duo producing just as well.

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Los Angeles Kings prospect Spencer Watson and Florida Panthers prospect Juho Lammikko have been quietly tearing up the OHL so far this season. Watson was taken in the 7th round by the Kings and Lammikko was picked up in the 3rd by the Panthers.

What is interesting about Spencer Watson in this scenario is his development of playmaking abilities. Watson is known to be a goal-scorer. That is what Watson excels at. So to see him set-up and finish plays is exciting and encouraging for Kings fans.

Watson and Lammikko get the assists on the 2nd goal in this clip. Lammikko is seeing his 2nd season of North American action this year for the Fronts. He was selected in the 1st round of last year’s CHL Import Draft and committed August of 2014. He is known for his powerful play and will set up the sniper more often than play the role himself. Last season Lammikko held himself together with 44 points, including 18 goals, in 64 games.

Owen MacDonald #11 of the London Knights takes a faceoff against Juho Lammikko #82 of the Kingston Frontenacs during an OHL game at Budweiser Gardens on September 26, 2015 in London,Ontario,Canada. (Sept. 25, 2015 – Source: Claus Andersen/Getty Images North America)

Last season for Watson was cut down due to an injury he suffered in November. After returning in January, he was able to play in a total of 41 games, scoring 20 goals and 28 assists. A tactic that could be the reason for success with Watson and Lammikko, as well as the rest of the Kingston Frontenacs who sit atop the East division at 4-1-1-1, is getting the puck on net as much as possible. Last season the Frontenacs were 6th in the OHL in the category of shots for and shots for per game, according to CHLStats.com. This season the Fronts are 3rd in SF/GM and 5th in SF. That speaks for the team as a whole, but it was not until this year we have been able to see the impact Watson and Lammikko had on those numbers. The OHL has never collected data for individual shots, until this year. 7 games into the season, Spencer Watson leads all OHL players with 42 shots on goal. He takes an average of 6 shots on goal per game, which also leads the league. Juho Lammikko sits at 11th with 28 shots on goal, averaging 4 shots on goal per game. What is not accounted for this year is missed or blocked shots, better known as Corsi or “Shots Attempted”. By getting a general idea of how many shots Watson and Lammikko attempt, we will be able to see that they truly believe good things happen if you get the puck on net.

In this particular game, Watson had 7 shots on goal and Lammikko had 7.

The chemistry between the two help create goals and scoring chances as well.

The pressure will be taken off the duo considerably when Lawson Crouse makes his return to the lineup. He was sent down by the Florida Panthers and is serving a suspension acquired last season.

Lammikko and Crouse, both Panthers prospects, could make another interesting pair.

Next: Oscar Lindberg Starting Rookie Campaign off Right

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