(London) Vlad Namestnikov scored the game-winning goal in the first period and added an assist, as the London Knights blanked the Spitfires 3-0 in Game One of their Western Conference quarter-final series Friday night at the John Labatt Centre.Scott Harrington chipped in a pair of assists and Michael Houser made just 21 saves for the shutout, as the Knights took a 1-0 series lead, heading back to Windsor for Game Two on Sunday afternoon.
The stories of the night were Jaroslav Pavelka's outstanding play (33 saves) and Windsor's inability to generate offense. The Spits finished the night with just three scoring chances.
Namestnikov blew by Adam Bateman before beating Pavelka with a quick shot high to the glove side, opening the scoring at 7:13 of the first period.
Bo Horvat followed up with his first of the series, as he outmuscled Brandon Devlin and busted right in on to make it 2-0 at 12:21.
The teams played a scoreless second period, in which the Knights outshot the Spits 13-6.
Jared Knight made it 3-0 just seven seconds into a power play at 2:53 of the third period.
The Spits failed to convert with 1:56 of power play time later in the frame.
Winger Ty Bilcke left the game in the third period and did not return. His status for Sunday's game is unknown.
SCORING
1ST PERIOD
LDN NAMESTNIKOV (1) (GRIFFITH, HARRINGTON) 7:13
LDN HORVAT (1) (HOUSER) 12:21
2ND PERIOD
NO SCORING
3RD PERIOD
LDN KNIGHT (1) (HARRINGTON, NAMESTNIKOV) 2:53 PP
SHOTS
WSR 7 - 6 - 8 = 21
LDN 12 - 13 - 11 = 36
PPS
WSR 0-FOR-6
LDN 1-FOR-5
