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| The Rupert family camping out in the Credit Union Centre parking lot in Saskatoon |
The London Knights won their opener at the MasterCard Memorial Cup, 3-2 over the Saskatoon Blades.
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| Max Domi image painted into the stairs at the CUC |
A few streaks remain intact. London coach Dale Hunter is now 5-0 as a head coach in Memorial Cup games. The Blades are 0-5 in post season games this year.
The Blades expressed some of the frustration of answering questions about having to sit for 51 days waiting for the Memorial Cup to begin (they were beaten in four straight by Medicine Hat in round one). Collin Valcourt glared threateningly at Josh Anderson at the opening faceoff and took a small whack at Andersons' shin pads.
The Blades started quickly with the first goal less than 8 minutes into the game. The crowd of 10,203 came to life for a few minutes. It is apparent, though, Blades fans have a testy relationship with their team after two straight first round sweeps in the Western Hockey League playoffs.
Brett Welychka, one of the best Knights forwards in the finals vs. Barrie tied the game five minutes after the Blades opened the scoring. Welychka fought for space in front of the Blades net. Chris Tierney's high shot was saved by Saskatoon goalie Andrey Makarov and Welychka was able to get his stick on the rebound and somehow flip a backhand high into the net from close range.
Before the end of the period, Bo Horvat turned a steal of the puck at centre ice into a 2 on 1 with Seth Griffith. Griffith made a sweet move at the net to score on Makarov and give the Knights a 2-1 lead.
The Blades Josh Nicholls scored his second of the game to tie it 2-2 in the second period setting up another tense third period for Knights fans. There has not been more than a three goal margin of victory for the Knights in their last 12 wins.
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| Knights celebrate win at Memorial Cup |
With the Knights on a third period power play, Scott Harrington's shot from the point produced a rebound and Nikita Zadorov snuck in from the point to bury the rebound and give London a 3-2 win.
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| Andrey Makarov was solid for the Blades |
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| Brett Welychka celebrates first period goal vs. Saskatoon |
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| Welychka with the hit that started the play that led to first goal |
Jim Saskatoon didn't lose to Moose Jaw in round one. It was Medicine Hat and that was 2 straight years at th hands of the Hatters.
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