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The London Knights showcased their resilience and skill in a tightly contested game against the Kitchener Rangers, winning 3-2 on December 15 at Canada Life Place. This victory not only marked their 25th win of the season but also solidified their position at the top of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) standings, leading Kitchener by three points.
Fast-paced first period sets the tone
Right from the opening faceoff, the Knights demonstrated their offensive prowess. Sam O’Reilly opened the scoring just 1 minute and 16 seconds into the game, deftly redirecting a slap shot from Noah Jenken past Rangers goaltender Jackson Parsons.
The momentum continued as Blake Montgomery doubled the lead, showcasing his speed and agility by weaving through Kitchener’s defense and firing a wrist shot into the net. This early 2-0 advantage energized the Knights and set the stage for an exciting first period.
Knights maintain control despite Rangers’ comeback
As the first period progressed, the Rangers managed to claw back with a goal from Adrian Miseljevic, who capitalized on a two-on-one opportunity. This goal narrowed the gap to 2-1, but the Knights remained undeterred.
In the second period, Jesse Nurmi intercepted a pass in the Kitchener zone and quickly set up Jacob Julien, who scored to restore the Knights’ two-goal lead at 3-1. Julien’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he had previously excelled against the Rangers in last spring’s playoff series.
Final period tension and standout performances
The third period saw Jack Pridham score for the Rangers, tightening the score to 3-2 and ramping up the tension in the arena. Despite being outshot 29-28, the Knights’ goaltender Austin Elliott stood tall, improving his record to an impressive 13-0 this season.
The Knights’ defense held firm, ensuring that they secured the win and completed a challenging stretch of three games in three days with two victories.
As the Knights look ahead, they have one road game against the Erie Otters and a home game against the Sarnia Sting before the OHL’s holiday break. Fans are particularly excited for the upcoming matchup against the Otters, which will feature the Fimis brothers, adding a personal rivalry to the competitive atmosphere of the league.
