OHL final: London Knights beat Oshawa in Game 3 double-OT stunner
By: Ryan Pyette
OSHAWA – The big guns cued the comeback. The depth guys won it.
London rookie defenceman Henry Brzustewicz, filling in at winger to cover suspensions up front, tapped in the winner two minutes into the second overtime period to shock Oshawa 7-6 in Game 3 of the OHL championship series before 5,939 Monday at Tribute Communities Centre.
“It’s definitely the best goal I ever scored,” the 17-year-old from Washington, Mich., said. “G (Isaiah George) made a great play looking back door. Their guy (Generals d-man Zackary Sandhu) lost his helmet and had to change. Odd-man situation and (George) found me back door.
“I blacked out after that.”
The Knights, down 6-2 through 40 minutes, orchestrated one of the great rescues in franchise – and OHL final – history. London can sweep the Gens for a fifth league title Wednesday and punch its ticket to Saginaw for the Memorial Cup.
“Our kids battled back,” Knights coach Dale Hunter said. “You’re never out of the game. It’s junior hockey. That’s why fans like to watch it. Just keep working and good things will happen.”
London starter Michael Simpson was pulled after allowing six goals on 19 shots through two periods. The fast-starting Generals couldn’t solve relief man Owen Willmore.
The 19-year-old stopped 17 straight shots, including a few with a high degree of difficulty in overtime.
“Henry played big minutes for us down the stretch and in the playoffs,” Dale Hunter said. “He’s been very good for us. (Willmore) is always ready to play. He’s a battler and that’s what he did.”
OSHAWA – The big guns cued the comeback. The depth guys won it.
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