FRIDAY NIGHT GAME
THE MATCHUP:
The Knights have won four in a row with a calling card of stout defence and strong goaltending. The Generals can flat-out put the puck in the net, averaging five goals a game.
WHO TO WATCH:
London — D Michael D’Orazio. He’s the first Knights blue-liner to score a goal this season and it “only” took eight games to get it. He set it up Johnny Cash-style by “walking the line” until he had a clear look at the net. “We work on that every day in practice,” he said. Oshawa — Ex-Knights F Christian Thomas. Imagine a Knights forward crew with Thomas and Jared Knight leading the way. That could be 100 goals right there. Thomas, though, was part of the John Tavares trade two years ago. “We were good friends,” Knight said. “He’s doing great right now and I’m happy for him.” Knight’s emergence made it easier to part with Thomas, who has 10 goals this season.
GOALIE UPDATE:
All signs point to Igor Bobkov making his first start at home. He had two ice sessions Thursday with visiting Anaheim goalie coach Pete Peeters and Knights counterpart Bill Dark. The Ducks aren’t too worried their big Russian hasn’t played much yet. “Obviously, we’d love him to play every game but (Bobkov) will have to steal the net back when he gets his chance,” Anaheim director of player personnel Rick Paterson said. “If he’s not in by Christmas, maybe we’ll start getting concerned, but we’re not pressing the panic button.”
BOARD MEETING:
JLC kingpin Brian Ohl hasn’t heard from the Knights lately about some of the crazy bounces the puck has taken off the glass and corner boards this year, but he might soon. G Michael Houser was instructed by assistant Jacques Beaulieu late in the Kitchener game to forget about playing the puck behind the net. “Every Friday night, we rim pucks around and test it,” Beaulieu said.
VARONE IN?:
Over-ager Phil Varone (knee) has been declared fit to play. For Varone to play, it means one of Stephen Sanza (6-0 team record when he plays), Chris DeSousa (top checking centre) or Mike D’Orazio (London’s most impressive defender so far) will have to sit. Most likely scenerio? Varone goes in Saturday if things turn sour Friday.
FACEOFF POWER:
The Knights won about 28% of their draws against Erie. They were 53% against Kitchener. “We want to be better than the other team,” Beaulieu said. “We didn’t win any special teams faceoffs Friday. We had guys kicked out all game, then Saturday, hardly anyone. You don’t know what to tell the kids.”
AFTER THE BUZZER:
The Knights head to Peterborough for their only Lift Lock City visit Saturday at 7 p.m. The Gens face the 67’s, their East Division foes, in Ottawa on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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