Nats begin playoff run; Knights claim top spot
Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Feb. 21-26) — for London’s teams and athletes.
The London Nationals begin their GOJHL playoff journey Wednesday with the opener of a best-of-seven series against the St. Thomas Stars. (Photo: Bruce Laing).
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The Knights lost two of three following their Family Day win over Windsor, but they still moved into top spot in the Western Conference. Points from a 4-3 shootout win (and a 4-3 overtime loss) did the trick, and London will head into their showdown game against Windsor on Thursday one point ahead of the Spitfires.
The Knights started the week strong by beating the Sarnia Sting 4-3 in a shootout victory last Friday — in the team’s final home game until March 17 (due to the upcoming Brier curling event at Budweiser Gardens). Ryan Humphrey opened the scoring with his 13th goal of the season. Ruslan Gazizov restored a one-goal lead in the final minute of the first period.
The Sting scored twice in the second to take a one-goal lead of their own, but George Diaco tied things in the third to force overtime. Diaco played the hero again in the shootout scoring the only goal with Brett Brochu stopping all three of Sarnia’s attempts.
The Knights didn’t fare as well on Saturday, losing 7-5 to the Owen Sound Attack. Down 5-0 in the second period, the Knights did mount a comeback attempt, scoring four straight goals, but Colby Barlow’s power play goal midway through the third served as the game winner for the Attack. Sam Dickinson scored twice for the Knights, with Logan Mailloux, Ruslan Gazizov, and Denver Barkey also finding the back of the net.
Sunday’s game was a lot closer, but the Knights still came up short in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Guelph. Down 2-1 to start the third, the Knights took the lead with Logan Mailloux and George Diaco scoring 46 seconds apart. The Knights looked poised to win as the clock wound down but the Storm tied the game at the 18:52 mark. Riding their momentum into the extra frame, Guelph scored the game-winner 1:42 into overtime.
Up next:
The Knights (40-15-2-0) return to action Thursday for a rematch against the Windsor Spitfires, the team they’re jostling with for first place in the Western Conference. London got the upper hand on Family Day (Feb. 20), winning 4-3 in overtime. This one will be played in Windsor (the Knights are on the road until March 17 due to the upcoming Brier curling event being held at Bud Gardens).
Thurs. Mar. 2 (7:05pm @ Windsor Spitfires)
Fri. Mar. 3 (7:05pm @ Sarnia Sting)
Terry Thomas became the top Canadian scorer in National Basketball League history last Thursday, and the Lightning won 98-91 over Windsor for their fourth straight victory over the Express in a rare four-games-in-a-row series between the two foes. It was London’s seventh straight win overall, improving their record to 11-2 on the 2023 season.
The Lightning got off to a strong start in the first quarter, outscoring the Express 21-15. Windsor fought back in the second quarter, but the Lightning rode a 36-point third quarter to victory. Jordan Burns led the offense with 23 points and 9 assists, while Cameron Lard had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Jeremiah Mordi (13) and Elijah Lufile (10) had double-digit rebounds, while Lance Adams (11) and Mike Nuga tallied double-digit points.
Thomas, the league’s reigning Canadian and Sixth Man of the Year — and 2022 NBLC Finals MVP — became the league’s all-time top Canadian scorer in the first quarter, surpassing Garrett Williamson, a fellow former Lightning champion.
Up next:
The Lightning (11-2) are back in action Thursday for a road contest against the Sudbury Five (10-3), who sit just one game back of London for top spot in the NBLC standings. It’ll be London’s first trip to Sudbury this season. Then, the Lightning will play the KW Titans for the first time this year.
Thurs. March 2 (7:00pm @ Sudbury Five)
Sat. March 4 (7:00pm @ KW Titans)
The Nationals finished off their regular season strong winning two of three last week to secure second place in the GOJHL’s Western Conference and a first-round playoff matchup with the St. Thomas Stars.
London began the week with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Sarnia Legionnaires. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, Riley Wood cut the lead in half with his 25th goal of the season. The teams traded goals in the second, with Rylan Bowers and Bradyn Santavy keeping the Nationals in the game. Lucas Chard tied the contest in the third with a short-handed goal that forced overtime. The Nats then took home the win with Tanner Winegard scoring the game-winner in the extra frame.
The Nats’ second game of the week didn’t go as well, with the team losing 4-3 to the Legionnaires. London built up a 3-1 lead after the first period, with Riley Wood, Talan Palmer and Tanner Winegard tallying goals. The two-goal lead wasn’t enough, however, as Sarnia scored three power-play markers in the first 4 minutes of the second period to win the game.
The Nationals finished the regular season on a high note by beating the Strathroy Rockets 4-3 in overtime on Sunday. After a scoreless first period, London scored three times in the second. Lucas Chard opened the scoring with Talan Palmer and Tanner Winegard extending the lead. The Rockets answered back with three of their own to force overtime. But it was London’s Sam O’Reilly who scored the game-winner for the Nationals at the 3:57 mark to cap off the regular campaign.
Up next:
The Nationals (34-11-4-1) now embark on the GOJHL’s Sutherland Cup playoffs, which will begin Wednesday for the London squad (at the Western Fair). The Nats, who finished second in the Western Conference (just one point behind Leamington), will play the No. 7-seed St. Thomas Stars (21-23-4-2) in the first round of playoffs (a best-of-seven series).
GOJHL Playoffs - First Round - London Nationals (2) vs. St. Thomas Stars (7) (best-of-seven series)
Game 1: Wed. March 1 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas Stars)
Game 2: Fri. March 3 (7:30pm @ St. Thomas Stars)
Game 3: Sat. March 4 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas Stars)
Game 4: Tues. March 7 (7:30pm @ St. Thomas Stars)
Game 5: Wed. March 8 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas Stars) (if necessary)
Game 6: Fri. March 10 (7:30pm @ St. Thomas Stars) (if necessary)
Game 7: Sat. March 11 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas Stars) (if necessary)
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 …