Shorthanded goals help Knights blank Guelph Storm

LONDON – The Guelph Storm yielded a pair of shorthanded goals as they were blanked 4-0 by the London Knights in Ontario Hockey League play Saturday night at London’s Budweiser Gardens.

The Knights surrounded a pair of second-period goals by Kasper Halttunen with shorthanded goals by Denver Barkley in the first period and Jacob Julien with 34 seconds to go in the third.

Easton Cowan, Julien, Kaeden Johnston and Sam Dickinson each had one assist.

The Storm outshot the Knights 28-27 thanks to a 17-7 margin in the third period. Guelph was scoreless on four power plays while London went 1-for-3.

Brayden Gillespie had 23 saves for the Storm while Michael Simpson stopped 28 shots for the shutout for the Knights.

The Knights (12-5-0-1) lead the Western Conference and they’re followed by Soo Greyhounds (12-5-0-0), Kitchener Rangers (12-5-0-0), Storm (10-7-0-0), Erie Otters (8-7-3-0), Flint Firebirds (8-8-1-1), Sarnia Sting (9-8-0-0), Saginaw Spirit (8-7-0-1), Owen Sound Attack (7-9-2-0) and Windsor Spitfires (4-12-1-0).

The Storm and Knights are to battle again Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Sleeman Centre.

• Guelph Sports Journal