Knight Watch: London continues road swing
The Knights travel to Guelph and Owen Sound this weekend to make it four straight road games. What’s in store? Columnist Jake Jeffrey has you covered with news, notes and analysis.
Luke Evangelista is third in the OHL in points per game (1.75) entering action Thursday. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
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The London Knights are riding a three-game winning streak heading into a pair of road games this weekend.
After getting held off the scoresheet for the first time this season in a loss to Sarnia Nov. 19, Luke Evangelista bounced back in a big way with a pair of four-point games against Kitchener last weekend. The Nashville Predators’ prospect kept that going in Windsor on Wednesday, scoring his third shorthanded goal of the season to help the Knights get by the Spitfires, 5-2.
London’s powerplay also got back on track. After failing to score in three straight games with the man advantage, the Knights have scored six powerplay markers during their last three wins.
Following a relatively quiet start to the season, Antonio Stranges has continued his strong play offensively, with 15 points in his last eight games.
Brent Brochu posted his first shutout of the season Wednesday night, and he also earned his first break last week, with Owen Flores making his OHL debut in relief on Friday and then making his first start Sunday, where he earned his first win.
Up until that point, Brochu had played every minute in net for the Knights this season.
With stops in Kitchener, Windsor, and now Guelph and Owen Sound this weekend, the Knights are currently on their longest stretch of road games this season. They return home Dec. 3 to host Erie, and then take on the Sting Dec. 4 as the annual teddy bear toss continues in London.
Going into Friday's contest in Guelph, the Knights have played an even split of home and away games, and they boast very similar records, with seven wins on the road and seven wins at Budweiser Gardens.
Brett Brochu, who finally got a break in net last week when Owen Flores made his OHL debut, was back at it Wednesday, stopping 35 of 37 shots for the win. Heading into action Thursday, he leads the OHL with 13 wins and a .918 save percentage. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS
Friday (Nov. 26) @ Guelph Storm (10-6-1-1)
Luke Evangelista has 16 goals in 16 games this season. The only other OHLer scoring at a goal per game pace is Guelph’s Sasha Pastujov, who has 18 in 18. Pastujov will enter Friday’s game with a goal in seven straight games. Interestingly enough, no OHLer has taken more shots on goal than Evangelista (89) and Pastujov (88). The Storm sit second in the Midwest Division, seven points behind London.
Saturday (Nov. 27) @ Owen Sound (8-7-1-1) (plays Barrie Thursday)
It’ll be back to a familiar foe on Saturday, as the Knights and Attack will meet for the sixth time this season. London has won all five matchups so far, with a pair of those games needing extra time to solve. Former Knight Andrew Perrott leads the Attack with 17 points, 16 of which are assists.
A LOOK AT THE LOCALS
With two goals and four assists in two games last weekend, Hamilton Bulldogs forward George Diaco extended his point streak to six games. Lucan’s Navrin Mutter, also with the Bulldogs, picked up his first two-goal game of the season in a win over Peterborough.
Speaking of Hamilton, Liam Van Loon was traded to the Niagara IceDogs, and he scored a goal in his second game with his new club.
Former Knights forward Jacob Chantler has scored his first QMJHL goals with the Saint John’s Sea Dogs.
KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS
Connor Federkow scored his first OHL goal in Sunday’s win over Kitchener, while Sean McGurn had a career-high five points, scoring once and adding four helpers.
Colton Smith now has 10 goals on the season, which tops all OHL freshmen.
Defenseman Ethan MacKinnon recorded his first OHL point this week, registering an assist in Windsor Wednesday night.
As of earlier this week, Cody Morgan topped the league in faceoff percentage among those who've taken at least 200 draws.
The OHL Finals features London and Oshawa. It’s the West champion versus the East winner — with a trip to the Memorial Cup on the line. What’s in store? Our hockey columnist, Jake Jeffrey, breaks it down …