GAME ONE - London Knights 5  Saint John Seadogs 3 

Jarred Tinordi was a plus-3 and helped keep Charlie Coyle (3) to just one assist. 

Matt and Ryan Rupert vs. Niagara 

The Knights were very impressive in their Memorial Cup opener.   They continued their stellar defensive play by clogging the neutral zone and preventing the Saint John Seadogs from entering the Knights zone with speed.   Jarred Tinordi and Scott Harrington kept Charlie Coyle in check as Tinordi was a plus-3 on the night.  Harrington had an assist and was a plus-1.  


Knights still very comfortable facing pressure in their own zone.  They never panic.  Impressive for a young team.  


KEY MOMENTS


Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press tweeted "Canada meet the Ruperts.."  A nationally televised audience on a Saturday night without an NHL game should mean solid ratings for Sportsnet.   The Ruperts were at their pesky, productive best.   Ryan Rupert's hard forecheck on Pierre Durepos resulted in a  turnover and a pass to an open Austin Watson for the fourth London goal.  It was the kind of play that has endeared the Grand Bend twins to London fans.   They showed a national TV audience they are far more than a novelty act.  


Late in the game, it was the Rupert twins at the centre of another turning point.  With just over two minutes left in the game, Jonathan Huberdeau was about to shoot the puck into the Knights zone on the dump and chase.  Matt Rupert hustled on the back check to steal the puck away and force a turnover.  Ryan Rupert ended up tangling between the benches.  The referee called a double minor for roughing to Huberdeau, putting the Knights on the power play.  The call infuriated Saint John coach Gerard Gallant enough for him to get a bench minor.  That put the Seadogs two men down with just 2:04 to play.  The Knights sealed the win with a goal.  

Max Domi scored a key goal vs. Saint John

Knights goalie Michael Houser made 24 saves - Scott Harrington had one assist and was plus one

MICHAEL HOUSER - Houser was solid in goal despite a long shorthanded goal by Huberdeau.  The star Saint John forward shot a puck from about 2 feet inside the Knights blueline.  The puck deflected off Vladislav Namestnikov and dipped so quickly, Houser seemed to lose sight of it.  Houser was especially sharp controlling rebounds.  He was a way of making the puck hit him like a pillow and sticking to his equipment.  

Memorial Cup action

AFTER - Mark Hunter still thinks the Memorial Cup goes through Saint John.  That feeling was evident afterwards.  While the team was satisfied with their effort - they know there is a long way to go.  This effort will be somewhat wasted if they don't repeat it against Shawinigan in game two, Sunday night. 

Rob Faulds interviews Seth Griffith after scoring London's third goal vs. Saint John