Hounds outshot by Knights

The Soo Greyhounds have tried looking at the positives out of every game in recent weeks and, despite suffering a loss on Saturday night, there were a number of positives to be found.

Saturday night saw the Greyhounds drop a 2-1 decision, in a shootout, to the defending Memorial Cup Champion London Knights in front of over 3,600 at Memorial Gardens.

Despite the loss, the Greyhounds held the high-scoring Knights to just 19 shots through regulation time and had a number of chances throughout the game to come out with a victory.

The Greyhounds directed 41 shots at London goaltender Adam Dennis, only to see the netminder turn them aside time after time. Kyle Gajewski, sporting his brand new mask for the game, turned aside 18 shots through 65 minutes.

Through two periods, the Hounds held an edge in shots, 25-14 as well as scoring chances, but neither team could solve their opponents goaltending.

After the two teams traded scoring chances in the third period, Hounds veteran forward Cody Thornton finally opened the scoring midway through the frame. After a Brad Good point shot was turned aside by Dennis, Thornton battled in front of the net and managed to knock the loose puck past the Knights goaltender to give the Hounds a 1-0 lead.

The lead lasted just under five minutes as the Knights found themselves on the man-advantage. With Hounds blueliner Josh Godfrey in the box, David Bolland scored his 43rd goal of the season with just three seconds remaining in the power play to tie things at one.

The scored stayed that was through the rest of the period, as well as overtime, paving the way for a shootout.

After David Bolland opened the shootout scoring and Hounds forward Scott Restoule being turned aside, Dylan Hunter stepped up for the Knights and scored what would eventually be the winning goal.

After Hunter scored, Cody Thornton came back to score for the Hounds. London's Rob Schremp was turned aside, paving the way for Tyler Kennedy, who was stopped by Dennis, although the save was not without controversy.

Referee Mike Pearce originally signalled that the puck was a goal, before waving it off. Hounds coach Craig Hartsburg commented following the game that Pearce explained that he anticipated the puck was going to cross the goal line but it never did.

"I think you've got to look at it as, those kids did everything they could to win the hockey game," said Hartsburg. "We have to play perfect games and tonight we almost did. We had chances, but we missed the net too many times. To me that was the only negative in the whole game. We've got to hit the net. What more could you ask for though. They battled, they were smart, we outworked them, and we did everything but win."

Hartsburg went on to say that a positive attitude is an important ingredient to the success of the team.

"We're all staying very positive and that's the big thing," Hartsburg said. "That's what we want and we've got to keep thinking that if they keep doing that, something good will happen for them. We knew there were going to be ups and downs this season. It was a process we're going through. Hopefully tonight's game starts us back on the upswing."

The Hounds now find themselves with some time off before getting back in action as they now are off until Feb. 24 when they host the Windsor Spitfires. The following night will see the Hounds host the Oshawa Generals. Game times for both nights is 7:30p.m.

*** AROUND THE OHL:

AT SAGINAW: Tom Pyatt had a pair of goals while Jack Combs added two goals and an assist to lead the Saginaw Spirit past the Windsor Spitfires 7-3. Sault native Zack Torquato added three assists in the win while Keaton Turkiewicz scored a pair of goals for the Wolves.

AT BELLEVILLE: A 37-save performance by Sebastian Dahm was not enough as the Kitchener Rangers defeated the Belleville Bulls 4-1. Kevin Henderson had two assists for the Rangers.

AT SARNIA: Trevor Cann stopped all 34 shots directed his way as the Peterborough Petes blanked the Sarnia Sting. Jamie Tardif added a goal and an assist for the Petes. Parker VanBuskirk stopped 31 shots for the Sting.

AT PLYMOUTH: Mike Letizia had two goals and an assist to lead the Plymouth Whalers to a 6-4 win over the Guelph Storm. Steve Ward added a goal and two assists for the Whalers.

AT ERIE: The Erie Otters are slowly creeping back into the playoff picture as they defeated the Owen Sound Attack 4-1. Michael Blunden and Ryan O'Marra had a goal and an assist each.

AT BARRIE: Dan Lacosta stopped 30 shots to lead the Barrie Colts to a 4-0 shutout over the Toronto St. Michael's Majors. Bryan Little had a goal and two assists for the Colts.