(London) The season has not begun as the Spitfires had imagined. After dropping their home opener in a shootout Thursday night, the Spitfires drove up the 401 to face the London Knights Friday. Forward Greg Nemisz led the way with two Spitfires goals but it was Knights rookie goaltender Michael Houser who stole the show saving 42 of 44 shots.

The Knights surprised the Spitfires just 1:15 into the opening period with Daniel Erlich scoring his first goal of the season. Greg Nemisz would respond for the Spitfires at the 6:38 mark roofing the puck past Knights’ goaltender Michael Houser for his first goal of the season. Austin Watson was awarded the lone assist.

The Knights would then score two unanswered goals to take a two goal lead. Forward Phil Varone scored a powerplay marker for the Knights at the 18:51 mark of the first period. Then, just 29 seconds into the second period, Garrett Hunter would score his first of the campaign. This goal would end the night for Spitfires goaltender Josh Unice who would be replaced by Troy Passingham after allowing three goals on 10 shots.

With the Spitfires on the powerplay, Nemisz would pull them back within one goal of the Knights with  his second goal of the game, a point shot which beat Houser over the shoulder. The assists were awarded to rookies Michael Whaley and Cam Fowler. This would be as close as the Spitfires would come as the Knights would cap the scoring at the 6:08 mark with Dominic DeSando scoring his first of the season.

In many respects, the Spitfires have continued their play right where it left off during the playoffs and Memorial Cup as they have outshot their opponents 88 to 42 during the first two games of the season.  

The Spitfires are now off until Thursday September 24 when they host the Erie Otters, game time is 7:05 at the WFCU Centre.