DOUBLE DIGIT KNIGHT
It’s hard to beat a fast start in hockey and for the tenth straight game, the London Knights got one. Their streak of scoring the game’s first goal hit double digits on Thursday at home to the Guelph Storm and then the Knights hit double-digits on the scoreboard with an 11-1 victory.
London hit the scoreboard just 8:04 into the first period as Max Domi found Michael MCarron coming into the Guelph end and he wired a shot just inside the left post that bounced right back out and actually had to be reviewed. The goal stood and McCarron and the Knights led 1-0.
The Knights then went ahead 2-0 on another nice passing play as Micth Marner found Matt Rupert and Rupert got a puck through to Christian Dvorak, who made a move and puck the puck past Nichols on the stick side and London led 2-0.
The second period featured more London Knights highlights. Many more. London scored five times to push their lead to 7-0.
Matt Rupert scored his first of two on the night from Dvorak and C.J. Yakomowicz. The McCarron got his second by snapping a puck off the post and in and then ended the evening for Nichols.
With rookie Bradley Van Schubert in net, Aaron Berisha finished a gorgeous passing play on the power play for his seventh goals of the season and sixth as a Knight. Then Rupert batted a puck out of the air and into the Guelph net as London’s lead grew to 6-0.
Before the end of the second and with the Knights killing a penalty, Dakota Mermis got to his stick after it was knocked out of his hands and raced up the left wing. He was slashed, but hung onto the puck, carried in behind the net and found Owen MacDonald alone in front and he slipped the puck through the legs of Van Schubert for London’s seventh goal on 21 shots and a healthy lead through two.
Early in the third, Tait Seguin deflected a Dakota Mermis shot into the Guelph net for his 1st goal of the season and an 8-0 London advantage.
London wasn’t finished there as Marner stripped a puck away from Zac Leslie, fed Dvorak and he scored his second of the game.
Guelph spoiled the shutout of Michael Giugovaz with 7:21 left as he snapped a puck past the Brampton native to make it 9-1.
The Knights hit double-digits on a second effort from MacDonald as his first shot was stopped, but when the puck came right back to him, he buried it to become the fourth Knight with two goals in the game.
London added a final goal on the power play as Mitch Marner flipped home his first goal in the game and fourth point of the evening to end the scoring and give the Knights a ten goal victory.
Dvorak and Rupert each had two goals and three assists. Mermis had three assists and was a plus-6.
Guelph outshot London 45-34.
The Knights will host Windsor on Friday. London will be commemorating Remembrance Day and fans are asked to please wear red. Game time is 7:30.
Mike Stubbs
NewsTalk 1290 CJBK
Play by Play Voice of the London Knights
