Gameday in 5
A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Feb. 21-27) — for London’s teams and athletes.
The London Nationals extended their win streak to seven games Saturday with a 4-0 win over St. Marys. (Photo: Bruce Laing).
* * *
The Knights won two of their three games last week, including splitting a two-game road series with the Soo Greyhounds. Things got off to a good start on Wednesday, as London began their road trip with a 3-1 win in Owen Sound. That was thanks to a pair of third-period goals — including the winner from Luke Evangelista on the power play (Camaryn Baber added an empty netter to seal the deal). Landon Sim had opened the scoring in the first period on a goal assisted by goaltender Brett Brochu. The Attack answered back six minutes later, but both teams remained scoreless until London’s captain potted the winner.
The weekend didn’t get off to a good start for the Knights, who lost the first game (6-3) of a back-to-back road series in Sault Ste. Marie. The Greyhounds opened the scoring less than a minute in and added a second goal six minutes later. London forward Sean McGurn brought the Knights to within a goal just past the 13-minute mark of the first period, but the Attack scored two more quick goals to enter the intermission ahead 4-1. A comeback wasn’t in the cards for London, whose other goals were scored by Antonio Stranges and Evangelista.
Following Friday’s lopsided loss, the Knights bounced back on Saturday, beating the same Greyhounds team 3-0. It was the captain who put on a show, scoring all three London goals. Evangelista scored in all three periods, completing the hat trick with an empty netter in the third — which gave him 41 goals in 41 games. Cody Morgan had two assists, while Kirill Steklov, Ethan MacKinnon, and Stranges also added helpers. Brochu saved all 27 shots he faced in earning the shutout.
Up next:
The Knights (30-13-2-0), who enter the week tied for second in the Western Conference (in points) with the Greyhounds, trailing only the Flint Firebirds, will face a couple of Midwest rivals — including a pair against the Guelph Storm, the team that’s had the most success against them this season. New this week? Arenas are opened to 100% capacity, for the first time since mid-December. In addition, the OHL will no longer require proof-of-vaccination from its fans.
Wed. March 2 (7:00pm vs. Guelph Storm)
Fri. March 4 (7:30pm vs. Windsor Spitfires)
Sun. March 6 (4:05pm @ Windsor Spitfires)
The Lightning made it two in a row Saturday, remaining undefeated in the early going of the 2022 NBLC season with a 115-92 win over the Windsor Express at the WFCU Centre. Chris Jones led the way with 24 points, while teammates Jermaine Haley (21) and Cameron Forte (20) weren’t far behind. Forte finished with his second straight double-double, tallying a game-high 14 rebounds.
Canadian Terry Thomas also had a big game, putting up numbers across the board — 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block. The Lighting held a narrow 19-18 lead heading into the second quarter before scoring 34 in the second for a commanding 53-37 lead at halftime. London never looked back, scoring 62 points in the second half en route to the big road win.
Up next:
The Lightning will look to remain undefeated as they play their home opener on Saturday night against the KW Titans. It’ll be the first Lightning game at Budweiser Gardens in nearly two years. They’ll follow that up with a matinee Sunday against their first TBL American opponent of the year …
Sat. March 5 (7:00pm vs. KW Titans)
Sun. March 6 (2:00pm vs. Lansing Pharoahs)
The Nationals were perfect last week, winning all three of their games — to extend their win streak to seven. They started the week with a 4-3 overtime win against the Chatham Maroons. Trailing 3-2 in the final period, the Nats got a goal from Lucas Chard — his second of the game — to force overtime. Chard then completed the hat trick in the extra frame with the game-winner just past the 2-minute mark.
After a close game Wednesday, the Nationals won more convincingly on Thursday, beating the Sarnia Legionnaires, 3-1. Nicholas Beaupre opened the scoring in the first period, with Sam Van Der Zalm adding on shortly after with his second of the year. Chard added to the Nats’ lead in the second to make it 3-0. The Legionnaires scored their lone goal in the third.
London then shut out the St Marys Lincolns on Saturday by a 4-0 score. Jeff Burridge scored the icebreaker 30 seconds into the game (assisted by Riley Wood and Chard). Beaupre scored his 7th of the year in the second period on a goal assisted by Logan Pace-Roth and Ryan Nichols. The Nats then scored twice in the third, with Chard scoring in his third straight game and Burridge notching his second of the game. Goalie Aiden Berry secured the win, saving all 30 shots he faced.
Up next:
The Nationals will look to keep up their red-hot play this week with key games against a pair of division rivals — Chatham and Leamington. Both teams enter the week tied for second in the Western Conference, six points back of the Nationals.
Wed. March 2 (7:00pm vs. Leamington Flyers)
Sat. March 5 (7:00pm vs. LaSalle Vipers)
Sun. March 6 (3:30pm @ Chatham Maroons)
Around the Perimeter: London and KW are the final two teams standing. It’s experience vs. youth; Will Lightning match the Titans’ energy?; Will defense decide this matchup? Read our series preview …