Can Knights cool down hot Mantha?

Can Max Domi and the Knights use their rest to take play to the Foreurs?. (Dave Chidley/CP)

The MasterCard Memorial Cup opener will settle the debate between rested teams and teams in game shape.

The Val-d’Or Foreurs wrapped up the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final with a Game 7 win on Tuesday, giving them but a few busy days of preparation. Meanwhile, the MasterCard Memorial Cup host London Knights haven’t played since being eliminated in the second round of the OHL playoffs by Guelph on April 11.

Neither team was willing to declare they had the edge.

“We’re not expecting them to be tired,” Knights captain Chris Tierney said. “We’re expecting them to come out like they’ve been playing the whole playoffs. We’re going to expect and treat it like they’re well rested because we know they’re going to come out strong.”

“The two of us have advantages and inconveniences,” added Foreurs defenceman Guillaume Gelinas. “They’re rested, we’re in game shape. It’s two different things that can each bring differences on each side.”

WHICH TEAM WILL GRAB THE REINS FROM PUCK DROP?

The Knights will be looking to get a big crowd going early while the Foreurs will try to take them out of it. Given the long layoff, the Knights may be rusty which would seemingly expose them and open the door for the Foreurs to grab an early lead.

“We want to have a big start and see how they react,” Gelinas said. “We’ll throw the puck towards the net from everywhere and forecheck, hit them, play our game. We didn’t get to the Memorial Cup by not playing our style so we’re not going to change it now.”

A month of practicing and bag skates means the Knights will be eager to finally see a different opponent. An early goal would get the crowd energized and provide the Knights an opportunity to get their game legs.

“Real important first period,” Knights defenceman Nikita Zadorov declared. “First shot, first hit for everybody–I think first shift is real important.”

“I’m sure we’ll bear down once the 10 minutes gets in, we’ll get the feel for the game,” Knights forward Ryan Rupert said. “We know Val-d’Or just came off a hard, seven game series so we just have to take it to them early.”

CAN THE FOREURS EXPLOIT ANTHONY STOLARZ EARLY?

Even longer than the Knights’ month-long layoff is the one served by starting goalie Anthony Stolarz. He was suspended on Mar. 25, in the third game of the opening round series against Windsor and hasn’t played since.

“A lot of traffic in front of the net,” Foreurs forward Anthony Mantha explained on how they will test Stolarz. “We need to grab the rebounds. He’s maybe not going to be sharp.”

Goalie coach Bill Dark and former NHL goalie Jeff Hackett have been preparing Stolarz with game-specific drills, such as bad-angle shots, rebounds and tips from point shots.

“It’s just getting that first save,” Stolarz said. “I think once you get that, you’re going to be ready mentally and I think once you get past that first shot, that first save, we’re going to have the crowd behind us. I think once you get past that, it’s going to be all uphill from there.”

CAN THE KNIGHTS SLOW DOWN ANTHONY MANTHA?

Mantha’s remarkable season concluded with a goal a game average in the season and playoffs. He scored the championship-winning goal in Game 7 with less than a minute to play on Tuesday, proving just how dangerous he is in all situations.

Zadorov, who will be tasked with neutralizing Val-d’Or’s top offensive weapon, downplayed the matchup on Thursday.

“I’m not playing against (Sidney) Crosby, you know, it’s just Anthony Mantha,” the Russian defender said. “I don’t think I have to play something special against him.”

Stolarz said he isn’t preparing too specifically for one player, but won’t have to look far for Mantha.

“He’s a big guy so, around the net, when he’s standing in front you’re not going to be able to see too much,” he said. “As a goalie, you’ll know when he’s on the ice.”

CAN THE KNIGHTS’ QUICK TRANSITION GAME SINK THE FOREURS?

The Knights won two OHL championships in two years with a pesky, neutral zone trap that creates turnovers and scoring chances the other way. Their patient, plodding style is known for making the opposition pay for making mistakes.

The Foreurs saw a similar-style from their first round opponent, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, but despite having their league’s top two scoring defencemen in Gelinas and Randy Gazzola, they’re not a team that over-handles the puck coming out of the zone.

“If you try to do everything yourself,” Gelinas said, “you’re going to be in trouble.”

“I want (my defencemen) to make the first pass,” Foreurs head coach Mario Durocher said. “What piss me off the most is the defencemen who make the attack. I want the defencemen to support the attack.”

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