The London Knights knew the Guelph Storm were going to be a tough task, they also knew that this could be a playoff preview. The Knights took a 7-5 lost in a Tuesday night matchup at home. It was your typical Knights Vs Storm game… a lot of back and forth, both teams trading blows, not giving up too much.
Photo Credit: Alain Quevillon
Storm goaltender Anthony Popovich had a rough game against the North Bay Battalion he didn’t face too many shots but, took a 5-2 loss. You know he was looking for a bounce back game. He indeed bounced back, he stopped 21 of 26 shots. Although those numbers aren’t very attractive for an OHL goaltender of his caliber, the shots he did stop were clutch and played a big role in the win. The goals he gave up were not soft, the Knights had to work for those five goals that were allowed. Each goal the Knights scored were scored from no further than 3 feet from the net. Popovich stood on his head stopping at least 2 short handed breakaway chances for the Knights, and robbing Knights rookie Antonio Stranges on the breakaway. You could tell when he stopped Stranges, that Popovich had done his homework. Stranges tried his signature back hand shot he normally uses in the shootout and Popovich shut the door.
The Knights were right there with the Storm in the first 40 minutes. The Storm would strike first and later in the frame the Knights would tie it up. At the end of the second period the Knights found themselves having a one goal lead heading into the third. The Knights came out flat footed and the Storm capitalized. Joseph Raaymakers got scored on twice very early into the third, and that would be the end of his night. Knowing Dale Hunter he didn’t pull Raaymakers because he wasn’t playing well, he pulled him because he was trying to send the team a message. The Knights were leaving him out to dry, poor defensive plays were made, and the team was no longer playing in front of him. Jordan Kooy came in for relief and it didn’t do anything. The Knights were down 6-4 with three minutes to go, the Knights put on the extra attacker trying to come back but, it was too late. The Storm would score on the empty net, Sahil Panwar would bring the Knights back within two with 30 seconds left but, the damage was done. Knights lose 7-5.
Let’s not take anything away from this game, this was by far one of the best games the OHL has seen all season. These two teams would put on a great show if they were to meet in the Playoffs. It is only January but, the playoff push has begun. The OHL trade deadline is looming and it is evident what teams are ready to contend for an OHL title.
The Knights made it clear they want to be a contender, and with the moves that Guelph has made so far, you can tell this is only the calm before the STORM… The Knights will look for a bounce back game of their own, as they will have another tough task at hand on Friday January 11 when they take on Owen Tippett and the Saginaw Spirit at Budweiser Gardens.
