DeHart makes most of opportunity

The seldom-used blue-liner scores the winner against Owen Sound.
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By RYAN PYETTE, SUN MEDIA
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Tony DeHart has only played in six games with the London Knights this season.
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But it was a good thing he laced up the skates last night in Owen Sound.
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The 17-year-old defenceman from Ballwin, Mo., scored his first goal of the season — the eventual winner — with seven minutes left in the third period as the Knights beat the Attack 4-2 before 2,989 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
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“I took a shot from the point and it came back and I went down on my knees and got it on the backhand,” DeHart said. “I followed up on the play. It’s a great feeling to get one.”
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The Knights improved to 11-8 and the win gives them a chance to sweep the three-game weekend with the Kingston Frontenacs at the John Labatt Centre tonight.
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It also provided a boost of confidence to the six-foot-two, 185-pound blue-liner still trying to work his way into the regular lineup in his second season with London.
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“It’s been hard to play a game or two and then not dress for the next couple of weeks,” DeHart said. “It makes you nervous for the games and I’m trying to get over that now. It’s definitely a lot easier when you get in there for a couple of games in a row.”
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London outscored Owen Sound 3-2 in the third period, even though the Knights ran into penalty trouble, giving the Attack the chance to score twice on seven power-play opportunities.
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DeHart’s goal came during a rare break in the period when London was at even strength and was just the third goal by a Knights defenceman this season. Kevin Montgomery has the others.
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“I got decent ice time, even in the third period, and we did a good job (keeping the Attack at bay),” said DeHart, who scored once and had five assists in 38 games last season. “It’s a good win for us. We keep improving our record.”
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Owen Sound rookie Joey Hishon made it 3-2 with his ninth of the season on the power play with 4:35 left, but London’s Justin Taylor sealed it with his 10th, an empty-netter, with 13 seconds left.
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London’s Jadran Beljo added his 10th of the season 1:20 into the third period and Tony Romano opened the scoring with his sixth goal — a highlight reel-calibre effort, according to DeHart.
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“He took a pass from (former Owen Sound defenceman) Trevor Koverko, went around the defenceman and deked the goaltender (David Davenport) out of his pants,” DeHart said. “It was a real nice goal.”
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London finished 0-for-3 on the power play while Owen Sound was 2-for-9. After losing their first three road games, the Knights have won four of their past five away from the JLC.
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Goalie Steve Mason improved to 11-2 since returning from the Columbus Blue Jackets and kicked aside 26 shots. Davenport made 21 saves for the Attack, who lost for the 14th time in 20 games.