london knights stay alive in ohl finals
May 10th, 2013
The London Knights live to see another day. The defending OHL champions convincingly beat the Barrie Colts 6-4 in game 5 of the Ontario Hockey League finals.
They knew they had to win.
Seth Griffith opened the scoring midway through the first period. Griffith along with the Knights' top line of Chris Tierney and Max Domi would all record goals, Domi's being his first of the series.
Bo Horvat was the star of the game for London. His massive shorthanded breakaway goal in the third period turned out to be the game winner Friday night.
"[Mark] Scheifele was coming down the neutral zone with speed," said Horvat. "Fortunately I got the puck through his skates and on the breakaway. Managed a quick move on the goalie and put it in."
The Rodney, Ontario native added another goal and an assist, giving him both the Knights' game winners in the OHL final series. Horvat along with captain Scott Harrington played an effective shut down role on the Mark Schiefele line.
It worked on Friday, especially with the Knights' having last change. Through 40 minutes of hockey London led 4-1, and unlike the collapse Wednesday evening in game 4, they held on this time, despite letting in three Barrie goals.
“They were a desperate hockey club,” added Barrie bench boss Dale Hawerchuk, “and they showed it. They played hard.”
"It was a frustrating game."
Barrie forward Anthony Camara was ejected for the second straight game in London and given a major penalty for charging. The Bruins prospect stormed out of the penalty box and ran over fellow Boston prospect Seth Griffith, who left early for treatment.
"It's always been hits like that when we're up three goals," said Knights' bench boss Dale Hunter, drawing reference to Camara's hit on Max Domi in game 2. "It's a cheap shot. He [Camara] wasn't even looking and he hit him [Griffith]. He went after Max [Domi] in game 2, now he went after Seth, trying to hurt him and put him out of the series."
"He definitely knew what he was doing out there," added Hunter while saying that he'd [Hunter] hit a few players in similar fashion in the NHL, and gotten suspended as a result.
Griffith's condition was being evaluated by doctors post game and as such remains a doubt for game 6 at this moment, which is Saturday evening at the Barrie Molson Centre.
"I was surprised," added Hawerchuck. "I happened to be watching the play, saw Aaron Ekblad pull the puck as [Camara] was coming out of the penalty box. He tried to go around Griffith, who obviously didn't see him and they collided."
In net for his first start of the playoffs, Sault Ste. Marie native Jake Patterson put on a confident show for London, stopping 25 of 29 shots he faced.
“I was nervous, being in an elimination game,” added Patterson. “You want to come in and play your best. When you haven’t played in so long, it’s hard, but you just have to focus and play your game.”
Patterson also indicated that he would be getting the nod once again in net Saturday evening. Head coach Dale Hunter however says the starting netminder for game 6 is yet to be determined.
Barrie's overage goaltender Mathias Niederberger was pulled for the first time this series - a 'mercy' pull according to Dake Hawerchuck, giving the German rest before Saturday's game. He stopped 28 of 34 shots in 50:48 of ice time.
This was the first time the Knights faced elimination since game 6 of their first round series loss to Owen Sound two seasons ago. The Barrie Colts were in a similar situation in the Eastern Conference finals, leading the Belleville Bulls 3-1, but needed seven games to close that series out.
The London Knights will prove to be a much harder challenge, with the J. Ross Robertson Cup on the line. After all you don't just beat the defending champions.
You have finish them off for good.
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GAME GLANCE
Barrie leads the best of seven series 3-2
London Goals: Seth Griffith, Chris Tierney, Max Domi, Bo Horvat (2), Brett Welychka
Barrie Goals: Mitchell Theoret, Ryan O'Connor, Anthony Camara, Andreas Athanasiou
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The London Knights live to see another day. The defending OHL champions convincingly beat the Barrie Colts 6-4 in game 5 of the Ontario Hockey League finals.
They knew they had to win.
Seth Griffith opened the scoring midway through the first period. Griffith along with the Knights' top line of Chris Tierney and Max Domi would all record goals, Domi's being his first of the series.
Bo Horvat was the star of the game for London. His massive shorthanded breakaway goal in the third period turned out to be the game winner Friday night.
"[Mark] Scheifele was coming down the neutral zone with speed," said Horvat. "Fortunately I got the puck through his skates and on the breakaway. Managed a quick move on the goalie and put it in."
The Rodney, Ontario native added another goal and an assist, giving him both the Knights' game winners in the OHL final series. Horvat along with captain Scott Harrington played an effective shut down role on the Mark Schiefele line.
It worked on Friday, especially with the Knights' having last change. Through 40 minutes of hockey London led 4-1, and unlike the collapse Wednesday evening in game 4, they held on this time, despite letting in three Barrie goals.
“They were a desperate hockey club,” added Barrie bench boss Dale Hawerchuk, “and they showed it. They played hard.”
"It was a frustrating game."
Barrie forward Anthony Camara was ejected for the second straight game in London and given a major penalty for charging. The Bruins prospect stormed out of the penalty box and ran over fellow Boston prospect Seth Griffith, who left early for treatment.
"It's always been hits like that when we're up three goals," said Knights' bench boss Dale Hunter, drawing reference to Camara's hit on Max Domi in game 2. "It's a cheap shot. He [Camara] wasn't even looking and he hit him [Griffith]. He went after Max [Domi] in game 2, now he went after Seth, trying to hurt him and put him out of the series."
"He definitely knew what he was doing out there," added Hunter while saying that he'd [Hunter] hit a few players in similar fashion in the NHL, and gotten suspended as a result.
Griffith's condition was being evaluated by doctors post game and as such remains a doubt for game 6 at this moment, which is Saturday evening at the Barrie Molson Centre.
"I was surprised," added Hawerchuck. "I happened to be watching the play, saw Aaron Ekblad pull the puck as [Camara] was coming out of the penalty box. He tried to go around Griffith, who obviously didn't see him and they collided."
In net for his first start of the playoffs, Sault Ste. Marie native Jake Patterson put on a confident show for London, stopping 25 of 29 shots he faced.
“I was nervous, being in an elimination game,” added Patterson. “You want to come in and play your best. When you haven’t played in so long, it’s hard, but you just have to focus and play your game.”
Patterson also indicated that he would be getting the nod once again in net Saturday evening. Head coach Dale Hunter however says the starting netminder for game 6 is yet to be determined.
Barrie's overage goaltender Mathias Niederberger was pulled for the first time this series - a 'mercy' pull according to Dake Hawerchuck, giving the German rest before Saturday's game. He stopped 28 of 34 shots in 50:48 of ice time.
This was the first time the Knights faced elimination since game 6 of their first round series loss to Owen Sound two seasons ago. The Barrie Colts were in a similar situation in the Eastern Conference finals, leading the Belleville Bulls 3-1, but needed seven games to close that series out.
The London Knights will prove to be a much harder challenge, with the J. Ross Robertson Cup on the line. After all you don't just beat the defending champions.
You have finish them off for good.
---
GAME GLANCE
Barrie leads the best of seven series 3-2
London Goals: Seth Griffith, Chris Tierney, Max Domi, Bo Horvat (2), Brett Welychka
Barrie Goals: Mitchell Theoret, Ryan O'Connor, Anthony Camara, Andreas Athanasiou
Back to Sports Stories