Knights deliver for Dale; Falcons, Mustangs win medals
Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Oct. 23-29) — for London’s teams and athletes.
(Photo: Conestoga College Athletics).
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With only one game on the schedule, the Knights came out on top last Friday, beating a strong East Conference opponent, the Ottawa 67’s, 3-2 in overtime.
Ruslan Gazizov got London off to a quick start with a goal less than two minutes into the game. With the scored tied at 1-1 entering the second period, Sawyer Boulton put the Knights ahead with her first goal of the season (assists to Jackson Edward and Easton Cowan). The lead lasted into the third period — but Ottawa eventually tied things up again, forcing overtime.
But it was the Knights who pounced in the extra frame, and Cowan scored the game winner 1:05 into OT to deliver a win for London — and the 908th of coach Dale Hunter’s career, which now puts him in sole possession of second place all-time in the OHL.
Cowan led the way offensively, picking up two assists in addition to his winning goal. Goaltender Michael Simpson was solid, stopping 31 of 33 shots en route to earning his sixth win as a Knight.
Up next:
After just a one-game week, the Knights are back in action for a three-game weekend beginning Friday at home against the Brantford Bulldogs. They’ll play another home contest Sunday.
Fri. Nov. 3 (7:00pm vs. Brantford Bulldogs)
Sat. Nov. 4 (7:00pm @ Owen Sound Attack)
Sun. Nov. 5 (6:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)
Fanshawe Falcons
Katie Rice defended her title as OCAA champion in women’s cross country last weekend, as both Fanshawe’s women’s and men’s teams earned silver medals at the provincial championship. Rice accomplished the feat Saturday in Cambridge, posting a time of 23:28.6 in the women’s 6km event, 18 seconds ahead of second place.
As a team, the Falcon women were unable to win a third straight OCAA title, but they did secure the silver, just two points behind the St. Clair Saints. Scoring points for Fanshawe were Rice, Katie Funk (11th), Grace Boyce (15th), Brooke Jez and Allyson Kwarciak.
On the men’s side, Fanshawe’s Ethan Roche had another strong meet and earned individual silver in the men’s 8km race with a time of 25:53. The Falcon men’s team won silver for the second straight year, thanks in part to Ty Breedon (4th), Owen Wrigley (10th), John Berthelot, Noah Derganc, and Aaron Reid.
Both teams will compete at the national collegiate cross country championships Nov. 11 in Nova Scotia (hosted by Dalhousie).
Western Mustangs
The Mustangs captured a pair of OUA team championships last weekend, as the women’s cross country won its first provincial title in 25 years, while the women’s lacrosse team claimed its first since 2017.
A dominant effort in Waterloo by Western runners led them to cross country gold — for the first time since 1998 — at the Columbia Ice Fields at Waterloo Saturday. An impressive five Mustangs finished in the top 7 in the women's 8km race, led by Chloe Coutts, who earned individual bronze after turning in a 29:08.8 performance.
Erika Jordan was close behind in 4th (29:11.2), while Sophie Coutts placed 5th, Heidi Ohrling was 6th, and Olivia Rousel finished in 7th. Each of the top seven — as well as Sandra Guga (13th) and Anna Carruthers (31st) were named First Team OUA All-Stars.
Meanwhile, Western’s women’s lacrosse team was also golden last weekend — and they accomplished the feat with a comeback 9-6 win over the Queen’s Gaels in the final to capture the Patterson Cup.
After trailing for the first three quarters, the Mustangs dominated the fourth and earned an impressive comeback win. Reese Whiteman tied the score in the final quarter, and then Western moved ahead with another Whiteman and a goal by Timmia Bomberry. A goal by Quinn Kolwich put an exclamation mark on Western’s gold medal win.
The Mustangs reached the final after big wins against Guelph (15-3) and McMaster (18-3) on Day 1 and Day 1, respectively, followed by a 13-4 semi-final over Toronto on Day 3. Reese Wilkins, Lexie Delisle and Taya Keast earned OUA All-Star status, while Garrett Loubert was named OUA Coach of the Year.
GOJHL (Junior B hockey)
The Strathroy Rockets and London Nationals lead the region’s teams in the GOJHL’s Western Conference heading into action this week. After improving their record to 10-4-0-0 on Saturday, the Rockets sit in first place in the conference with 20 points.
The Nationals, who improved to 9-3-1-0 with a 3-2 overtime win over the St. Marys Lincolns on Friday, are in second spot with 19 points — although they have the slight edge in winning percentage over Strathroy heading into action Tuesday. The team’s 19 points put them in a tie with the LaSalle Vipers for that second spot in Western Conference.
Rounding out the region’s teams, the Lincolns (7-5-1-0) are in fourth place with 15 points, the St. Thomas Stars (6-8-0-1) are fifth with 13 points, and the Komoka Kings (2-14-0-0) are in the eighth spot at just four points.
Leading scorers (points) in the region include:
21 - Briir Long (St. Thomas)
19 - Matt Souliere (Strathroy)
18 - Ethan Facchina (Strathroy)
16 - Talan Palmer (London)
16 - Owen van de Ven (St. Thomas)
14 - Harrison Franssen (St. Thomas)
The London Majors are looking to bounce back — in a big way — from a disappointing 2023 campaign following back-to-back championships. Do they have what it takes to contend again in 2024? …