Knights take series lead over Rangers

By CityNews Staff

After the first period Sunday, the rest of the game was left trying to live up to the drama. 

The London Knights took an early 2-0 lead over the Kitchener Rangers, scoring both on the power-play before the game was three minutes old. 

Kitchener didn't back down though. Overage forward Mike Petizian scored his second of the series to cut the lead to one. 

But less than a minute later the Knights would score the first 5-on-5 goal of the game, which chased Rangers goalie Paval Cajan. 

“I think “Pav” would agree he'd want one or two of them back, maybe. It wasn't about just [Cajan],” said head coach Mike McKenzie. “Give Jackson a chance in there, and see what he can do. I think he asserted himself pretty well once he got in there. Just trying to turn the tide and turn the momentum a little bit.”

After the move Kitchener outscored the Knights 2-1, but it wasn't enough. London squashed the Rangers 4-3 to take the 2-1 series lead. 

Parsons stopped 27 of 28 Knights shots in relief. 

“I'm not even upset at the start,” said McKenzie. “I liked our game overall tonight. I think most nights if you play like that you're going to win. If we can build off that and play that type of game, I'd be happy with it, win or lose.” 

Mike Petizian, Joseph Serpa, and Reid Valade all had a multi-point afternoon. 

The Knights put on a perfect display of how to bend and not break, while carrying the lead. 

Kitchener controlled the game for much of the match-up, but London forced the Rangers to work around the outside, defending the middle of the ice and running the clock when they could. 

The win takes back home-ice advantage for the Knights, but a win in Game 4 for the Rangers would reset the series to a best-of-three. 

“We're in the same spot they were after Game 1. We have to come out just as desperate as they did in Game 2, on home ice, in Game 4,” said McKenzie. “Keep even-keeled and keep going.” 

They'll have that chance Tuesday, at home. Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on City News 570 with Mike Farwell and Mike Torchia, filling in for Chris Pope. 

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