Gameday in 5
A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Nov. 22-28) — for London’s teams and athletes.
(Photo: Bruce Laing).
The Mustangs are headed to the 2021 Vanier Cup. They earned that right after beating the AUS champs, previously undefeated St. Francis Xavier X-Men, 61-6, Saturday at Western Alumni Field. The Mustangs scored early and often in the first half, racking up 51 points by the break. Running backs Keon Edwards, Trey Humes, and Edouard Wanadi combined for 433 yards and seven touchdowns (Humes and Wanadi scored three times each). Evan Hillock also threw for one touchdown, to wide receiver Griffin Campbell. The Mustangs defense, meanwhile, held St. FX to just 6 points and 210 total yards on the day.
Up next:
The Mustangs will head to Quebec City to play the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for this year's Vanier Cup. This will be the Huskies’ first Vanier Cup appearance in 15 years. Western won the national championship in 2017 — and lost in the final in 2018 in a back-to-back attempt.
Sat. Dec. 4 (1:00pm vs. University of Saskatchewan Huskies) (Vanier Cup in Quebec City)
The Knights had another strong week, winning two of their three contests — all on the road. On Wednesday, they extended their win streak to three games with a 5-2 win over the Windsor Spitfires. With the game tied 2-2 after two periods, Cody Morgan and Liam Gilmartin scored in the third to secure the win. Ruslan Gazizov had two assists, giving him 10 in his first nine games as a Knight.
London lost Friday night, 3-2, to the Guelph Storm. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Knights playing from behind the whole time. Luke Evangelista scored twice, both times tying the game, but near the midway mark of the third the Storm tallied the eventual winner and held on for the win.
The Knights bounced back on Saturday, though, beating the Owen Sound Attack 5-4 in a shootout. Up 3-2 in the second, the Knights allowed two unanswered goals, falling behind 4-3. But Luke Evangelista’s second of the game (and league-best 20th of the season) late in the third forced overtime. After a scoreless overtime, Abakar Kazbekov then scored the shootout winner in the third round.
Up next:
The Knights (15-4-1-0) currently hold a 3-point lead over the second-place Guelph Storm in the OHL’s Midwest division. They’ll have a chance to create more distance when they take on the last-place Erie Otters and the 7th-place Sarnia Sting this week — both at home.
Fri. Dec. 3 (7:30pm vs. Erie Otters)
Sat. Dec. 4 (4:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting)
The Nationals beat the St. Thomas Stars, 7-2, on Wednesday to put them four points ahead of the Leamington Flyers for first place in the Western Conference. Jeff Burridge had two goals and two assists, while Zach Power had three assists. Goalie Aiden Berry allowed two goals on 35 shots.
On Thursday, it was all offense all game, as the Nationals beat Sarnia 10-6. The two teams combined to score 10 goals in the first period. In fact, the Nats scored four goals within the first five minutes of the game, with Jeff Burridge adding a 5th goal just before the 9-minute mark. The Legionnaires answered back with three goals in less than a two-minute span, but London didn’t stop scoring. Jeff Burridge netted the game-winner with a minute left in the second period, putting the Nats up 7-6 at the time.
Michael Elliston had four goals in the game, Jeff Burridge had two goals and an assist, and Zach Power added to his point total with three assists. Power concluded the week leading the league with 45 points, while his teammate, Jeff Burridge, sat in second with 42.
Up next:
The Nationals (15-3-1-1) enter the week four points up on Leamington for first place in the Western Conference. They’ll host the 8th-place Strathroy Rockets on Wednesday and then have a chance to extend their lead over Leamington on Thursday.
Wed. Dec. 1 (7:00pm vs. Strathroy Rockets)
Thurs. Dec. 2 (7:10pm @ Leamington Flyers)
The London Lightning announced last week that Doug Plumb will return as head coach of the team for the 2022 season. Plumb took over head coaching duties during the 2019-20 season — one that was ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, he’d served as an assistant with the Lightning in 2016-17.
Continue to stay tuned to Gameday London’s Lightning team page for updates and stories as the roster is built leading up to the tip-off (Feb. 5) of NBLC’s 10th anniversary season.
Natalie Thirsk, a para athlete, has become a Canadian record holder in three short years. Her cerebral palsy doesn’t define her, but she’s a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities. Will she one day compete at the Paralympics?