KNIGHTS WIN 9-4 IN NORTH BAY
Every team wants to get off to a fast start. Every team says it every game. Actually making it happen can be tough.
On Thursday in North Bay, the London Knights made it look easy as they scored 1:43 into the game on a slap shot from Alex Basso and then kept on scoring as they bounced the usually stingy Battalion 9-4.
Coming into the game, North Bay had been hot. They were 9-0-2 in 11 games on home ice and 12-2-5 in their past 19.
Two milestones were hit in the first period as both Matt Rupert and Bo Horvat each picked up their 20th goals of the season. Horvat’s goal came courtesy of a lot of hard work from Matt Rupert. Rupert dove behind him to corral a puck and fling it to the net. With Ryan Rupert heading toward the loose puck, Battalion goalie, Jake Smith dove to try to cover it and couldn’t. Matt Rupert got back to his feet and zipped in to set up Horvat who had most of a net to shoot at.
Then on the power play at 10:51, Horvat helped to set up Matt Rupert for his 20th as he took a shot that was stopped. Gemel Smith grabbed the rebound and threaded a pass to Rupert who slammed the puck home for a 3-0 lead.
The Knights weren’t done as the power play stayed a perfect 2-for-2 as it struck again at 17:58 courtesy of captain Chris Tierney.
London outshot North Bay 11-6 in the first and carried a big lead and a lot of momentum into the second.
The Battalion managed to battle back as the second period began as former Kitchener Ranger, Ben Thomson scored twice to cut London’s lead in half.
The goals got the crowd buzzing and gave the Battalion some jump which they carried up until the Knights ended up with a 5-on-3 power play. Nikita Zadorov hammered a one-timer from the top of the right circle into the top corner of the North Bay net to put London up 5-2.
1:09 later, captain Chris Tierney scored his 30th of the season. Then Gemel Smith netted his 29th. Before the period was over, Vincent Praplan scored for the Battalion and Horvat got his second of the game for the Knights and London led by five, 8-3 through 40 minutes.
Brendan O’Neill was inserted into the North Bay net for the third period and surrendered one goal to Brett Welychka. Barclay Goodrow replied for Brampton to round out the scoring.
London outshot North Bay 32-29.
Horvat ended the game with two goals and two assists and both Matt Rupert and Gemel Smith had a goal and two assists.
Jake Patterson earned the win in net and made several excellent stops at key times.
London will now play in Sudbury Friday where the Wolves will retire Dale Hunter’s number 15.
Broadcast time on NewsTalk 1290 is 7:00.
Mike Stubbs
NewsTalk 1290 CJBK – Play by Play Voice of the London Knights
