Game Recap: Knights Strike First in Tight Game One
Game Summary: London took game one 5-3 in what was a back-and-forth game. Luke Ellinas opened the scoring before Kaleb Lawrence countered to tie it up. The see-saw game continued until Oliver Bonk scored what would eventually be the game-winner early in the third. Ellinas has opened the scoring in both of Kitchener’s series this season.
With his goal, Ellinas has extended his point streak to four games while Cameron Reid extended his point streak to three games with an assist. Filip Mešár’s point streak was extended to four as well and he has recorded a point in all but one playoff game this season. Hunter Brzustewicz scored his first career playoff goal in his team-leading three-point effort in today’s contest, while Eduard Šalé scored tonight to bring him to three goals in his past two games.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period
LDN 0, KIT 1
14:41 Luke Ellinas (5) – Hunter Brzustewicz, Cameron Reid
Luke Ellinas opened the scoring of the series, giving Kitchener the lead with a deflection in the slot. Matthew Sop started the play, cycling the puck up to the point to Cameron Reid. Reid sent the puck along the blueline cross-ice to Hunter Brzustewicz. He sent a wrist shot towards the net along the ice that Ellinas deflected over the shoulder of Michael Simpson and into the net.
LDN 1, KIT 1
17:10 Kaleb Lawrence (4) – Jackson Edward
Kaleb Lawrence scored London’s first goal of the series five-hole as he walked into the Rangers zone. Jackson Edward caught the puck at the centre ice redline after a clearing attempt by Simon Motew. Edward sent the puck up to the Kitchener blueline where Lawrence took the puck in stride towards Jackson Parsons. From above the blocker side faceoff circle, Lawrence fired the puck through Parsons’ five-hole to tie the game.
2nd Period
LDN 1, KIT 2
16:08 Eduard Šalé (4) – Hunter Brzustewicz, Filip Mešár
Eduard Šalé finished off a nice passing play to put the Rangers back ahead. Filip Mešár started it off walking into the Knights’ end and stopping just across the blueline. From here he sent a pass to Hunter Brzustewicz as he entered the zone he immediately sent it across and down to Šalé. The two quick passes put Michael Simpson well out of position as Šalé sent a wrist shot low blocker out of reach of Simpson and into the back of the net.
LDN 2, KIT 2
18:19 Isaiah George (2) – Jacob Julien
Isaiah George and the Knights didn’t waste time to even the game back up at two. Jacob Julien intentionally lost the offensive zone draw, opting to jump around Matthew Sop and intercept the pass back. From here he spun around and sent the puck back to George who walked down between the faceoff circles. George sent a shot on net, deflecting off Cameron Reid before beating Jackson Parsons.
3rd Period
LDN 3, KIT 2
1:29 Denver Barkey (3) – Max McCue, Kaleb Lawrence
London took their first lead of the game and series as Denver Barkey scored on a goal that never actually made it into the net. Max McCue took possession of the puck behind the Rangers net after Kaleb Lawrence sent a shot wide. McCue attempted a wrap-a-round but failed, bouncing off the net and Jackson Parsons. In the process, the net came off and the puck came out to Barkey who fired it toward where the net would be. However, the play was blown dead. After a lengthy review, the referees determined the puck would have gone in and awarded the goal to Barkey.
LDN 3, KIT 3
1:58 Hunter Brzustewicz (1) – Filip Mešár, Eduard Šalé
Hunter Brzustewicz capitalized 29 seconds after London took the lead to score his first career playoff goal. Eduard Šalé brought the puck into the London zone before kicking the puck out to the boards to Filip Mešár. The Montreal Canadiens’ first round pick sent a pass to Brzustewicz as he came into the zone and skated into the high slot before ripping the puck into the net glove side.
LDN 4, KIT 3
3:29 Oliver Bonk (18) – Jacob Julien, Easton Cowan – PPG
Two minutes after the first goal of the period, Oliver Bonk scored the third on the power play. The first power play goal of the series came as a result of a holding call to Simon Motew at 2:18. Easton Cowan sent the puck into the corner to Jacob Julien, who held the puck for a second before sending it to Bonk. The defenceman was parked on top of the crease and scored under the glove-side arm of Jackson Parsons. Parsons stopped most of the shot however, it just squeaked behind him to give London the lead.
LDN 5, KIT 3
19:25 Max McCue (2) – Jackson Edwards – ENG
Max McCue sealed the first game scoring an empty net goal after a long stretch of pressure for Kitchener. Jackson Edwards sent the puck down towards the empty net, but it missed. McCue won the race down to retrieve it and ended the game.
The Stars:
First Star: Kaleb Lawrence (1G, 1A)
Second Star: Hunter Brzustewicz (1G, 2A)
Third Star: Oliver Bonk (1G)
The Goalies:
Michael Simpson made his fifth start of the playoffs allowing three goals on 25 shots to earn the win. His playoff record remains a perfect five wins. Jackson Parsons made his seventh start of the playoff in today’s loss. He made 26 saves on 30 shots to move his playoff record to 4-3.
The Numbers Game:
Shots: LDN 31, KIT 25
Powerplay: LDN 1-5, KIT 0-4
FO%: LDN 63.5%, KIT 36.5%
Up Next: Kitchener will look to bounce back on Saturday for game two in London before returning home Tuesday for game three. Don’t miss the action as the rivalry heats up, secure your seats at The Aud box office Sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.
For inquiries, contact:
Lindsay Eastwood
Manager of Communications and Team Services
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
613-793-0168
[email protected]
Photo Credit: Tiffany Luke / Kitchener Rangers
