KNIGHTS BEAT PETES 6-3
PETERBOROUGH ˜ The London Knights‚ biggest issue isn‚t the power play right now.
It isn’t the offence, looking refreshed and resurrected in a 6-3 win in Peterborough Saturday, or big rusty Russian goalie Igor Bobkov, who bagged his first OHL win against the Petes.
The major problem has reverted back to the same as it was in the OHL preseason — too many 20-year-olds.
Oft-injured forward Phil Varone is healthy now. His knee isn’t bugging him anymore.
Head coach Dale Hunter said this week he needed to get his conditioning back but after Friday’s overtime loss, the Knights indicated they would look at reinstating Varone in the lineup against the Petes.
Nope. The Knights made the road trip while Varone stayed at home as a healthy scratch for the second straight game.
Chris DeSousa, who scored, speedy Stephen Sanza and defenceman Michael D’Orazio used up the Knights‚ three over-age spots once again.
“I‚m just going to work hard to try to get back in the lineup,” Varone said by phone. “I want to play. I’m definitely disappointed. Anyone who says they’re not is lying.”
He will not, at this moment, demand a trade. He is not looking at a timeline, although it will be painful if he sits out again Tuesday in Kitchener, especially after missing the seven-game playoff series against his old Rangers team last spring.
“I’m not going to complain because that won’t do any good,” he said. “I want to be known as a team guy, as a player who‚s good in the room, who the coaches respect and the other players want to be around. I believe whatever happens, happens for a reason. I don’t know if they (the Hunters) said anything to the other guys (about when the over-age question will be resolved) but they haven’t said anything to me.”
Clearly, it can’t drag on much longer.
The Knights started the preseason with five potential over-agers. They managed to move Swede defender Kalle Ekelund to Peterborough and he scored in his first game against his old team (his fifth of the season).
But the Knights’ forecheck was too much for the Petes’ back end and Daniel Erlich produced his best game of the season.
Seth Griffith scored just 1:14 into the first period, the 11th time the Petes have surrendered the opening goal. The tone was set.
The Knights chased Petes starter Bryce O‚Hagan in the second after five goals. They scored on his replacement Andrew D’Agostini on their first shot.
They also buried a couple of power-play goals. The worst PP in the OHL look much improved, featuring at times the familiar five-forward set with Colin Martin and either Vlad Namestnikov or Sanza at the point.
Bobkov, who played his first game since being signed by Anaheim two weeks ago, looked more poised in his second outing. He used his size to his advantage and kept the Petes‚ top guns Ryan Spooner and Matt Puempel at bay.
Bobkov, who worked with Ducks goalie consultant Pete Peeters and London coach Bill Dark, made his first start since allowing four goals in Erie on Oct. 4.
London’s Victor Terreri and Peterborough‚s Derek Mathers fought twice in the first. They also tangled in the preseason at the John Labatt Centre.
FULL GAME REPORT
Saturday
At Peterborough Memorial Centre
Knights 6, Petes 3
Free Press 3 Stars
1. Daniel Erlich, London. Four points and all over the ice.
2. Scott Harrington, London. Suddenly, an offensive dervish.
3. Igor Bobkov, London. Much better and first OHL win.
First Period
1. London, Griffith 3 (D’Orazio, Knight) 1:14
2. London, Martin 2 (Erlich, Namestnikov) 7:44
3. Peterborough, Ekelund 5 (Robertson, Tatrn) 9:25 (pp)
4. London, DeSousa 3 (Erlich, Harrington) 11:19 (pp)
Penalties ˜ Terreri, Ldn, Mathers, Pbo (fighting) 2:00, Tinordi, Ldn (interference) 5:30, Harrington, Ldn (holding) 9:20, Buonomo, Pbo (tripping) 10:18, Terreri, Ldn, Mathers, Pbo (fighting) 13:47, Ekelund, Pbo (holding) 18:32.
Second Period
5. London, Erlich 3 (Harrington, D’Orazio) 0:38
6. London, Namestnikov 6 (Knight, Martin) 7:23 (pp)
7. Peterborough, Robertson 2 (Boland, McCauley) 11:17
8. London, Harrington 2 (Erlich, Namestnikov) 13:18
Penalties — Martin, Ldn (interference) 2:26, West, Pbo (tripping) 5:58, DeSousa, Ldn (slashing) 18:34.
Third Period
9. Peterborough, Martschini 3 (Watson, Koekkoek) 13:48
Penalties — McNeill, Ldn (cross-checking) 3:02, Mathers, Pbo (checking from behind) 6:37.
Shots on goal by
London 12 8 11˜31
Peterborough 9 13 11˜32
Goal (shots-saves) ˜ London: Bobkov (W, 1-1). Peterborough: O’Hagan (16-11) (L, 4-5), D’Agostini (15-14, 7:23 of second period).
Power plays (goals-chances): London 2-4. Peterborough 1-5.
Referees — Joel Washkurak, Sean Reid. Linesmen — Tim Steen, Jordan Brown.
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