LONDON, Ont. — Seth Griffith had two goals and an assist as the London Knights evened the Ontario Hockey League final at a game apiece Sunday, with a 4-1 victory over the Barrie Colts.
Griffith opened the scoring 18 seconds into the second period, and Bo Horvat made it 2-0 just 57 seconds later. The goal was Horvat’s 10th of the playoffs. Brett Welychka added a power play goal at 14:03 of the period to make it 3-0.
The Knights peppered 24 shots at Mathias Niederberger in the second period, and 45 shots overall.
Andreas Athanasiou had a short handed goal for the Colts at 9:11 of the third period, before Griffith scored into an empty net at 18:36.
Welychka said his teammates had positive discussions in the dressing room after the first period. “We got off the hop quickly in the second period after talking in the room. When you see (two quick goals) like that, you know you have to step it up also.”
Anthony Stolarz stopped 22 shots for London.
“The kids knew what was at stake and knew we couldn’t afford to go down 2-0 in the series,” said Knights coach Dale Hunter.
London was 1 for 8 on the power play, while Barrie was 0 for 4.
“I thought we had a good solid first period, but that London goal early in the second put us on our heels,” said Barrie coach Dale Hawerchuk. “After London went up (2-0) we scrambled after that and also gave up too many odd-man situations.”
The series shifts to Barrie for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Wednesday.
Hunter says his club is ready to play again in less than 24 hours. “We practice and practice all year. I think our guys would play five days in a row, if they could.”
Hawerchuk expects the Colts to rebound. “We came in London and won one of two,” said Hawerchuk. “We have to absorb this loss and get ready for Game 3 as it comes up quick.”