Simcoe, ON – It was a thrilling weekend for the Norfolk Knights as they secured back-to-back victories at full ice, highlighted by James Clarke’s clutch performance in Paris and a dominant offensive showing against East Elgin Attack.
Clarke’s Shorthanded Heroics Lift Knights Over Wolf Pack
The Knights edged the Paris Wolf Pack 4-2 in a fast-paced battle on Saturday, fueled by James Clarke’s three-goal effort, including the game-winning shorthanded marker. Norfolk wasted no time getting on the board, as Clarke opened the scoring at 9:05 of the first period, assisted by Desmond Silkiewycz. Paris quickly responded when Hudson Boakes capitalized on a loose puck to tie the game 1-1 at 3:13. Norfolk regained the lead late in the first, with Clarke netting his second of the game at 00:56, assisted by Hunter Buck. The second period saw no scoring, but both teams played with intensity, setting the stage for an action-packed third. Paris struck late in the final frame, as Emerson Lambert converted a feed from Beckett Willson at 3:07 to tie things up at 2-2. However, the Knights took over from there. Clarke struck shorthanded at 1:28, scoring shorthanded off a pass from Jordan Santos. Just 16 seconds later, Buck added another shorthanded tally unassisted, securing the 4-2 victory for Norfolk.
Knights Offensive Showcase in Belmont
The Knights carried their momentum into Sunday’s matchup against the East Elgin Attack, unleashing a relentless offensive performance to secure a 14-3 victory. Ronan Brown opened the scoring for East Elgin at 9:12, but Clarke quickly responded for Norfolk, scoring unassisted at 7:05. Brown struck again at 4:56, assisted by Alec Armstrong and Owen Bossuyt, temporarily giving East Elgin the lead. However, the Knights answered back at 2:44, with Kaden Cordingley finishing off a setup from Miles Darbishire. Clarke continued his dominance, adding another at 2:01 off passes from Keaton Van Groningen and Darbishire to put Norfolk ahead 3-2 at the end of the first. The second period saw Norfolk take control, with Caleb Dumoulin netting the game-winning shorthanded goal at 8:11. Though East Elgin responded with a power-play tally from Brown at 7:37, the Knights added another from Clarke at 1:43, assisted by Dumoulin. Jordan Santos extended the lead at 00:05, set up by Knox Booker. The third period was all Norfolk, as they exploded for eight more goals. Ezra Bezzo (14:12), Hunter Buck (13:12), Knox Booker (10:49), Keegan Wentzell (10:30, 10:03), Keaton Van Groningen (8:45, PP), Santos (7:57), and Cordingley (5:43) all found the back of the net to cap off an impressive team effort. The Knights will look to carry the momentum into next weekend when they will play a home and home with the Tillsonburg Tornadoes.