Knights Score 6 In Second Period As They Blank Sting 9-0
By Carl Chimenti
The London Knights (50-9-2-0) scored six goals in the middle frame to break open a close game and they beat the Sarnia Sting (21-29-5-7) 9-0 in the final installment of the 402 Freeway series, before a sold out crowd of 4,521, Sunday afternoon, at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
The second period was the most goals that the Sting had allowed in one period this season and this was the third time this year that Sarnia was shut-out. Rene Van Bommel was the first star with a Gordie Howe hat-trick as part of a four point effort. Kasper Halttunen (San Jose Sharks) also had four points including a goal and was the second star. Third star honors went to Sam O’Reilly (Edmonton Oilers) as he also registered a hat-trick. Easton Cowan (Toronto Maple Leafs) also had a big game as he contributed four assists.
The 402 Freeway series saw Sarnia winning once in the six game set. It’s possible, these two teams could end up playing each other in the first round, which will be decided over the final three weeks of the OHL season. London out-shot Sarnia 35-28, but the Sting were better in the face-off circle 32-31. It was a big game for the Knights special teams as they went ¾ on the power-play and scored a short-handed goal as well.
The Sting went 0/4 with the man-advantage. Nick Surzycia got the start and he lasted 29:17, making 14 saves on 20 shots. Evan Maillet came in relief and played 30:43, with 12 saves on 15 shots.
Aleksei Medvedev stopped all 28 shots he faced for his third shut-out this season. Easton Wainwright of the Sting had three great chances to score this afternoon but Medvedev was up to the task preventing him from doing so. The London Knights scored twice in the opening period to grab the early lead. Noah Read found the back of the net quickly, as he scored at the 19 second mark from Jared Woolley (Los Angeles Kings) and Cowan. The Knights scored their second goal at 17:38 as Van Bommel beat Surzycia on a pretty move with assists going to both Halttunen and Cowan. London out-shot Sarnia 10-5 in a minor penalty free period.
In the second period the Sting allowed a season high of six goals in one period. Special teams played a big part for London as they scored three times on the power-play and once short-handed. O’Reilly scored twice with the man advantage at 2:21 and 14:33. Halttunen scored the third power-play goal at 8:52. Van Bommel scored the shorty as one of his two goals in the middle frame at 18:21 and an even strength goal at 4:18. Blake Montgomery (Ottawa Senators) also scored at 9:17. The Knights were also better on the shot clock 15-10.
