Gameday in 5
A recap of the week that was (Sept. 27-Oct. 3) — and a look to the week ahead — for London’s teams and athletes.
(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
For the first time in 46 years, the London Majors became Intercounty Baseball League champions Friday night, clinching the feat with an 8-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 at Labatt Park in front of a home crowd of 3,300 raucous fans.
After the Majors pushed the Maple Leafs to the brink with a 6-4 win in Game 3 on Tuesday, Toronto earned a 6-5 comeback win — in 13 innings — at Christie Pits in Game 4 Thursday to tie the series and force a decisive Game 5 in London. In that Game 5, the Majors found themselves down 3-1 in the third inning when Byron Reichstein smoked a three-run home run to give the Majors the lead. After allowing three runs over the first three innings, Majors ace pitcher Owen Boon settled in and held Toronto off the board for his final three innings. The Majors added insurance runs in the seventh inning, and Eduardo Perez earned a three-inning save. Reichstein, who hit over .400 with a league-leading five home runs in the playoffs, was named IBL Finals MVP.
IBL 2021 Championship Series: London Majors vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1: London 4 Toronto 3 (at Labatt Park)
Game 2: Toronto 6 London 4 (at Christie Pits)
Game 3: London 6 Toronto 4 (at Labatt Park)
Game 4: Toronto 6 London 5 (13 innings) (at Christie Pits)
Game 5: London 8 Toronto 4 (at Labatt Park)
Men
The men continued their winning ways from last week (in which they took down previously undefeated Guelph United) by beating Windsor TFC, 4-1, on the road Saturday night. The win brings their record to 7-2-0, tying them on points with Guelph United for the top spot in the League1 Ontario’s West Division (Guelph has one fewer loss). Benjamin Vyvschaft had a pair of goals for FC London, while Tomas Alvarez and Ethan Gopaul scored the others. Gopaul’s 10 goals this season are good for second-most in the league.
Up next:
The Men will have a chance to claim sole possession of first place when they host Scrosoppi FC (3-5-1) on Friday night at the Hellenic Community Centre.
Fri. Oct. 8 (8:00pm vs Scrosoppi FC)
Women
The undefeated women’s squad (7-0-1) was off this week, enjoying some rest before they return to action as the top team in the standings in League1 Ontario’s women’s division.
Up next:
The Women will look to continue their strong season when they host the second-place Oakville Blue Devils (5-4-0) on Saturday night at the Hellenic Community Centre.
Sat. Oct. 9 (8:00pm vs Blue Devils FC)
The Nationals followed up an exciting 5-4 overtime win over the Komoka Kings in their home opener Wednesday night with a 5-0 shutout win over the St. Mary’s Lincolns on Friday night to make them 3-0 to start the season. Zach Power led the team offensively Friday, scoring twice to bring his season total to five. Captain Jeff Burridge, who assisted on both Power goals, has eight for the year already. Nationals rookie goaltender Aiden Berry stopped all 36 shots he faced to secure London’s third win of the season. They lead the GOJHL’s Western Conference in the early going, with the LaSalle Vipers a point behind.
Up next:
The Nationals will look to build on their early-season success when they host the Strathroy Rockets at the Western Fair District on Wednesday night.
Wed. Oct. 6 (7:00pm vs. Strathroy)
Thurs. Oct. 7 (7:10pm @ Leamington)
The Knights finished their preseason with a 4-3 shootout win at home Friday night over the Hamilton Bulldogs. After a scoreless first period, the Knights went ahead 3–0 in the second on goals from Sean McGurn, Max McCue and Jacob Chantler. Hamilton answered with three goals of their own in the third, though, to force a shootout. After a goal by Abakar Kazbekov, Knights goalie Brett Brochu stopped all three of Hamilton’s attempts to secure the win.
Up next:
The Knights will open the regular season at home on Friday night against the Owen Sound Attack.
Fri. Oct. 8 (7:30pm vs. Owen Sound)
Sat. Oct. 9 (7:30pm @ Owen Sound)
Coming off a rare regular season loss, the Mustangs’ football team made it back in the win column Saturday afternoon, beating the Laurier Golden Hawks 36-16. Trailing 7-0 at halftime, the Mustangs gave the ball to first-year Quarterback Evan Hillock to start the third quarter. He managed a touchdown pass to Justin Nickson, but most of the damage came on the ground, as Keon Edwards ran for a 51-yard touchdown in the third, and Trey Humes scored a pair of late touchdowns in the the fourth. Savaughn Magnaye-Jones also returned a punt 55 yards for a score in Western’s big second half.
Up next:
The Mustangs will enjoy a bye week before hosting the Windsor Lancers at the newly-named Western Alumni Stadium.
Sat. Oct. 16 (1:00pm vs. Windsor Lancers)
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 …