Gameday in 5
A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (March 14-20) — for London’s teams and athletes.
The London Nationals bounced back this week with two wins in three games. They enter a new week in second spot in the Western Conference behind the Leamington Flyers. (Photo: Bruce Laing).
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The Knights split their games last week, winning twice and losing a pair. Things got started with a 6-5 win over the Saginaw Spirit on Monday. The Spirit tied the game 4-4 halfway through the third period before the Knights scored twice in less than two minutes. Luke Evangelista scored his second of the game on the power play, and Antonio Stranges scored shortly after. The Spirit came within a goal with 30 seconds left in the game, but London held on for the win.
The Knights found themselves on the other side of a 6-5 decision on Wednesday against the Guelph Storm. Most of the action in that one happened in the third with the game tied 2-2 to open the frame. London scored the first two (Isaiah George and Stranges), but the Storm answered back, scoring three times to take the lead. The Knights came within a goal late in the period, thanks to a Cody Morgan goal, but they were unable to draw even.
It was the Spirit again Friday, and it was another high-scoring win for the Knights — this time, 8-5. With London ahead 2-1 to start the second period, Saginaw tied things up. But it was short-lived, and the Knights answered back with three unanswered goals to close out the period. Stranges scored on the power play, Camaryn Baber tallied a marker, and then Stranges struck again with his 27th of the year. The Spirit tried to fight back in the third, scoring twice, but the Knights continued to find the back of the net as well (Luke Evangelista, Tye McSorley and an empty netter by Gerard Keane).
Sunday was a day to forget for London, as they lost big (10-4) to Sarnia on the road, falling to 3-6 against the Sting this season. The Knights started strong, and even held a 4-3 lead to start the third period. But the wheels fell off in the third, as Sarnia scored seven unanswered goals to run away with the win. McSorley had two goals for London, with Max McCue and Sean McGurn adding the others.
Up next:
The Knights (35-18-2-1, 2nd in Western Conference) will look to bounce back this week after Sunday’s tough loss. They have matchups against the 6th-place Owen Sound Attack, 7th-place Kitchener, and 5th-place Guelph (the Storm beat London 6-5 last week and have a 5-2-0-1 record against the Knights this season).
Fri. March 25 (7:30pm vs. Owen Sound Attack)
Sat. March 26 (4:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)
Sun. March 27 (7:00pm @ Guelph Storm)
The Lightning won both of their games last week, improving their record to an impressive 9-0 to start the National Basketball League of Canada season.
London opened the week by beating the Sudbury Five, 114-101, on Thursday. Chris Jones led the way with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while three other Lightning starters had points in the double digits, including Jaylon Tate (17), Jermaine Haley (15), and Cameron Forte (19). The Lightning also had strong scoring off the bench once again, with Terry Thomas scoring 13 and Jordan Jensen-Whyte 11. Ahead 52-49 at halftime, the Lightning took control of the game early in the third and rolled to a comfortable win.
The Lightning won again on Saturday, beating the Syracuse Stallions, 109-95, in their second contest against an American opponent this season. Cam Forte led the way in that one, scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds. Tate scored 20, while Jones had 17 and Haley tallied 15. London’s bench players continued to shine, with Mareik Isom scoring 15 and Terry Thomas scoring 11.
Up next:
The Lightning (9-0) will look to continue their hot streak with a pair of NBLC matchups this week. They’ll take on the Five (4-6) for the second week in a row, and also square off against rival Windsor Express (2-5).
Thurs. March 24 (7:00pm vs. Sudbury Five)
Sun. March 27 (2:00pm vs. Windsor Express)
The Nationals went 2-1 last week, with two convincing victories and a close loss. The convincing wins started Wednesday when London dominated the Sarnia Legionnaires in an 8-0 contest. Jacob Julien scored just 23 seconds into that one. Ryan Nichols added one in the final minute of the period before the Nats scored four times in the second. Scorers included Thomas Munro, Lucas Chard, Nicholas Beaupre and Jaden French (with his first of the year). French potted another in the third, Logan Pace-Roth tallied a score, and goaltender Aiden Berry stopped all 27 shots he faced to earn the shutout victory.
After a strong showing Wednesday, the Nationals didn’t fair as well Saturday, losing 2-0 to the Strathroy Rockets. The Nats went down 1-0 just before the 8-minute mark of the first and were unable to get anything going. The Rockets scored again early in the third period to put the game out of reach.
London bounced back on Sunday, beating the LaSalle Vipers 5-1. The Nats scored two goals in the first, with Pace-Roth opening the scoring 44 seconds in. Jeff Burridge added one later in the period (his 29th of the year). The Vipers responded in the second, scoring just past the 7-minute mark to make it 2-1. But the Nationals answered back quickly, scoring three unanswered goals to claim the win. Thomas Munro, Jacob Julien, and Nicholas Beaupre were London’s goal scorers. Owen Flores recorded the win, stopping 22 of the 23 shots he faced.
Up next:
The Nationals (29-10-2-1, 2nd in Western Conference) have a short schedule this week, with only two games. They’ll play the 6th-place Komoka Kings on Wednesday and the 5th-place St. Marys Lincolns on Friday. London trails the Leamington Flyers by three points in the Conference to start the week.
Wed. March 23 (7:00pm vs. Komoka Kings)
Fri. March 25 (7:30pm @ St. Marys Lincolns)
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 …