Taylor-made victory

Tavares misses game but could be back tonight
r
By MORRIS DALLA COSTA
r
The London Knights played the Kitchener Rangers in an OHL game last night at the John Labatt Centre.
r
That was secondary to the big news of the day: Knights centre John Tavares won’t miss much time.
r
Justin Taylor took over where Tavares left off, scoring three goals to lead the Knights to a 5-2 win over the Rangers before 9,038 spectators.
r
Taylor had a chance for another four or five. He missed two breakaways in the third period before scoring into an empty net with goalie Parker Van Buskirk pulled for a sixth attacker.
r
“It was a long time coming,” Taylor said of his hat trick. “We had a lot of chances. Obviously it was good karma . . . I had a gapping cage. I was just thinking ‘Don’t miss.’ “
r
The puck followed Taylor whenever he was on the ice. In the second period, Van Buskirk made a glove save on Taylor and took out his mouthgard.
r
“He said ‘You aren’t getting the third one when I’m in net,’ ” Taylor said of their exchange.
r
“Every chance I got he kept saying, ‘Almost, almost.’ ”
r
It was a dominant offensive performance by the Knights. They outshot the Rangers 52-19 and created chance after chance.
r
It was the kind of performance that will boost their confidence, considering the scary events of Wednesday night that could well have unsettled the team.
r
Tavares injured a shoulder in the third period of the CHL/NHL top prospects game in Oshawa.
r
Tavares was carrying the puck behind the net when he was caught with a big hit by Peterborough’s Zack Kassian.
r
It caused an entire city to catch its breath.
r
Tavares left the ice immediately, slamming his stick in frustration.
r
He was examined back in London yesterday morning.
r
“There’s nothing broken and no separation,” said Knights assistant general manager Jim McKellar.
r
Tavares has suffered a suspected bone bruise. While he didn’t play last night, there is a chance he’ll play tonight against the Guelph Storm. That will be a game time decision.
r
He was receiving treatment before last night’s game and wasn’t sure what to think when he first got hit Wednesday.
r
“My foot hurt as well initially. It got stepped on,” Tavares said.
r
“It was the initial pain from both. I don’t really remember what happened,” Tavares said. “I was watching the play . . . Kassian got me behind the net. I didn’t see him coming. I moved the puck in front of the net and I thought the play was over.
r
“I got up and skated to the bench. It didn’t feel good. I felt stiffness. I felt that I probably could have tried it out but I just wanted to shut it out for precautionary reasons.”
r
Tavares came to the Knights in a deadline deal from the Oshawa Generals and has only played one game for London. He had two goals and an assist in that one.
r
Kassian’s check and Tavares’ reaction sent a shiver of fear through everyone associated with the Knights including Knights assistant coach Pat Curcio who was watching the game on television.
r
Curcio didn’t like the hit.
r
“I was obviously shocked and afraid for the outcome,” Curcio said. “I was disappointed at the hit. I know these games are to showcase their skill and talent. I don’t mind a good hit when there’s a reason to hit. But I thought the puck was already gone. There was no reason to make that hit.
r
“You try and hit somebody to separate the puck from the body. You don’t go out to try and hurt someone.”
r
Knights Nazem Kadri also played in the Prospect’s game. He was worried when it happened. He drove home with Tavares after the game.
r
“It hurt him but he had pretty good range of motion,” Kadri said.
r
Tavares felt relieved at the diagnosis. He would like to get back as soon as possible but he isn’t on the clock.
r
“We’ll see how it feels when I wake up,” Tavares said. “We’ll take it one step at a time.”
r
Next: The Knights take on the Guelph Storm tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the John Labatt Centre.