Nail biter of a first round of playoffs, Knights vs. Owen Sound
Over 9,000 electrified fans filled
the Budweiser Gardens March 25th,
as the London Knights squared off
against the Owen Sound Attack for
game one of the 2016 OHL Playoffs.
As the Knights have defeated the Attack on four out of their six encounters during the regular season, the London team looked to continue their stride as game one ensued. After a slow start, the London Knights outperformed the Otters on all fronts, defeating Owen Sound 4-1 and taking a playoff series lead of 1-0.
On Friday’s contest both teams got off to a slow start, as each team only managed to register one shot on net halfway through the first. With a scoreless first period behind them, Knights’ Max Jones looked to spark his team offensively by scoring his first playoff goal of the post season, assisted by Christian Dvorak and Aiden Jamieson.
Adding to the deficit was Cliff Pu, Aaron Berisha and Mitchell Marner, adding an empty netter of his own as the third period winded down. Although the Attack were able to slip one past Knight’s goal tender Tyler Parsons on a third period power play opportunity, his 24- save night proved to be the factor in the Knight’s first win of their playoff run.
Parsons recognizes his need to rise to the occasion with playoffs in mind and understand his role of being “the backbone of the team”.
Coming out of Friday’s game with a 4-1 victory, the Knights hoped to take advantage of home ice for a second time for game two, which was played the next day. Although the Knights were able to widely outplay Owen Sound in game one, game two proved to demonstrate the Attack’s tenacity to even out the series.
Much like game one, game two was off to a slow start as the first goal of the game came 17 minutes into second period, courtesy of Owen Sound’s Josh Sterk. With little time remaining in the second, the Knights were determined to even out the score heading into the third. With a few seconds left in the period, Jones came extremely close to accomplishing that as he wired a shot right off the cross bar, deflecting wide. Unable to net it, the Knights headed into the third trailing the Attack by one goal.
In the third period, the Knights had several opportunities to tie, yet were unable to capitalize due to the defensive effort of Owen Sound’s goalie. Attack goaltender Michael McNiven shutout the Knights completely, registering 23 saves on 23 shots.
With a power play in motion already, the Knights pulled their goalie for a 6-on-4 man advantage with three minutes remaining in regulation. While having a few quick chances early in the power play, the Attack were ultimately able to fend off the Knights defensively, further icing the game as Attack’s Kevin Hancock flipped the puck down the length of the ice into the empty net, making it 2-0.
On March 28, the Knights headed to Owen Sound for game three of the playoffs. Fortunately for the London unit, their 5-1 victory against the Attack has reestablished their position as the series leaders, as it now stands at two games to one in favour of the Knights.
Parsons reflected on his experience so far against the Attack, and admitted that this team isn’t the same one they were able to defeat so easily during the regular season.
“It’s playoff hockey, so every team ups their game. They’re playing a lot better and it’s why we need to come out and play even better ourselves.”
Furthermore, from a goalie’s perspective Parson’s acknowledges that the defensive efforts of the Knights is what will ultimately give them the competitive advantage.
“Defense wins games. So we just got to start with our defense and our forwards will do their thing afterwards.”
With a few games left in this round, coach Hunter encourages his Knights to constantly be “competing and battling” as a lot is at stake for both these two teams. As the Knights aim to end the series against Owen Sound at home, they will need to harness Hunter’s advice looking forward to the next game.
As the Knights have defeated the Attack on four out of their six encounters during the regular season, the London team looked to continue their stride as game one ensued. After a slow start, the London Knights outperformed the Otters on all fronts, defeating Owen Sound 4-1 and taking a playoff series lead of 1-0.
On Friday’s contest both teams got off to a slow start, as each team only managed to register one shot on net halfway through the first. With a scoreless first period behind them, Knights’ Max Jones looked to spark his team offensively by scoring his first playoff goal of the post season, assisted by Christian Dvorak and Aiden Jamieson.
Adding to the deficit was Cliff Pu, Aaron Berisha and Mitchell Marner, adding an empty netter of his own as the third period winded down. Although the Attack were able to slip one past Knight’s goal tender Tyler Parsons on a third period power play opportunity, his 24- save night proved to be the factor in the Knight’s first win of their playoff run.
Parsons recognizes his need to rise to the occasion with playoffs in mind and understand his role of being “the backbone of the team”.
Coming out of Friday’s game with a 4-1 victory, the Knights hoped to take advantage of home ice for a second time for game two, which was played the next day. Although the Knights were able to widely outplay Owen Sound in game one, game two proved to demonstrate the Attack’s tenacity to even out the series.
Much like game one, game two was off to a slow start as the first goal of the game came 17 minutes into second period, courtesy of Owen Sound’s Josh Sterk. With little time remaining in the second, the Knights were determined to even out the score heading into the third. With a few seconds left in the period, Jones came extremely close to accomplishing that as he wired a shot right off the cross bar, deflecting wide. Unable to net it, the Knights headed into the third trailing the Attack by one goal.
In the third period, the Knights had several opportunities to tie, yet were unable to capitalize due to the defensive effort of Owen Sound’s goalie. Attack goaltender Michael McNiven shutout the Knights completely, registering 23 saves on 23 shots.
With a power play in motion already, the Knights pulled their goalie for a 6-on-4 man advantage with three minutes remaining in regulation. While having a few quick chances early in the power play, the Attack were ultimately able to fend off the Knights defensively, further icing the game as Attack’s Kevin Hancock flipped the puck down the length of the ice into the empty net, making it 2-0.
On March 28, the Knights headed to Owen Sound for game three of the playoffs. Fortunately for the London unit, their 5-1 victory against the Attack has reestablished their position as the series leaders, as it now stands at two games to one in favour of the Knights.
Parsons reflected on his experience so far against the Attack, and admitted that this team isn’t the same one they were able to defeat so easily during the regular season.
“It’s playoff hockey, so every team ups their game. They’re playing a lot better and it’s why we need to come out and play even better ourselves.”
Furthermore, from a goalie’s perspective Parson’s acknowledges that the defensive efforts of the Knights is what will ultimately give them the competitive advantage.
“Defense wins games. So we just got to start with our defense and our forwards will do their thing afterwards.”
With a few games left in this round, coach Hunter encourages his Knights to constantly be “competing and battling” as a lot is at stake for both these two teams. As the Knights aim to end the series against Owen Sound at home, they will need to harness Hunter’s advice looking forward to the next game.
