COMMANDING WIN, COMMANDING LEAD
If you were handing out a report card through the first three games of the 2014 Knights’ playoffs, the London Knights would likely be staring at a few “A”s.
The Knights were full marks for a 10-2 victory in Windsor that stretches their series lead to 3-0 in the Western Conference Quarter Finals. London will have a chance to wrap things up on Thursday in Windsor.
London held firm through a large and early push from the Spitfires and then scored on their first chance as Michael McCarron followed his own blocked shot and fired a sharp-angled shot past Dalen Kuchmey and into the Windsor net to make it 1-0 at 4:39.
Windsor would then go to their first of six first period power play opportunities, but the Knights would add to their lead.
Bo Horvat picked off a puck in centre and went in alone to put London ahead 2-0, 24 seconds later.
The Knights would then get an even strength goal set up by Gemel Smith. He flipped a pass to Knights’ rookie Mitchell Marner and he took the puck on his backhand, cut to the Windsor net and outwaited Kuchmey to make it 3-0.
Before the end of the period, Chris Tierney scored London’s second short-handed goal and the Knights led 4-0 after 20 minutes.
Windsor began the second on the power play and Ben Johnson knocked home his third goal of the series less than a minute in to cut London’s lead to 4-1.
The Knights responded quickly as Zach Bell wristed home his first of the playoffs to make it 5-1 at the 3:49 mark.
Nikita Zadorov made it 6-1 as he blocked a shot, created a 2 on 1 and then finished after a pass from Ryan Rupert.
Ryan Rupert then added his own to make it 7-1 London.
Before the period was over, the Knights would score their 8th of the game as Josh Anderson was hauled down going to the net to give London a power play. Anderson would then put the puck into the Windsor net for his second of the post-season.
Windsor goalie Dalen Kuchmey skated over to the Spitfires’ bench after that goal and left the ice. Apparently he went to the Windsor dressing room, undressed and left the building. Windsor did not have a back-up goalie on the bench in the third period.
The Knights would add goals from Matt Rupert and C. J. Yakimowicz in period three. Josh Ho-Sang scored his first of the series late for Windsor and the Knights headed home with a lop-sided victory and a commanding series lead.
Bo Horvat and Ryan Rupert ended the evening with a goal and three assists. Chris Tierney, Gemel Smith and Matt Rupert each had two points. No Knight had more than a single goal.
London outshot Windsor 39-26.
Anthony Stolarz received a penalty for high-sticking in the first period and there is some talk that the play could be reviewed by the OHL.
London will attempt to wrap up the series on Thursday in Windsor at 7 PM.
Unclaimed season tickets for a possible Game 5 will go on sale Wednesday morning at 10 AM.
Mike Stubbs
NewsTalk 1290 CJBK – Play by Play Voice of the London Knights
