Knights sweep week; Lightning win big; No. 40 for Western squash

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Feb. 5-11) — for London’s teams and athletes.

The Western Mustangs’ men’s squash team won the program’s 40th straight OUA title on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. (Photo courtesy Western Mustangs).

* * *

London Knights

The Knights’ prolonged success continued last week with the team winning all three of their games — extending their streak of securing a point to an impressive 23 games. Starting the week on the road, London beat the Flint Firebirds, 9-2, on Wednesday night. Ruslan Gazizov scored the icebreaker at the 15:18 mark of the first. Flint responded early in the second, but the Knights exploded for five goals of their own in the period. Gazizov scored two of those to complete a hat trick. London then added three more in the third for the runaway win.

Hosting the Windsor Spitfires on Friday, London came out on top with a 5-1 victory. After allowing the first goal of the contest, the Knights scored five unanswered for a convincing win. Oliver Bonk scored twice, with his first tying the game and his second serving as insurance. Kasper Halttunen scored the game winner, while Easton Cowan and Alec Leonard added third-period goals to help secure the win.

After two convincing wins, the Knights had their work cut out for them Sunday to extend their point streak — on the road against the Oshawa Generals. But they did it. Down 3-0 to start the third period, London battled back with three goals in eight minutes to force overtime. Kasper Halttunen scored twice, while Jacob Julien added a goal of his own. In extra time, Sam Dickinson set up Easton Cowan for the game winner in a 4-3 OT finish. 

Up next:

The Knights will look to continue their wild point streak with a three-game long weekend, culminating with a Family Day matinee at Bud Gardens.

Fri. Feb. 16 (7:00pm vs. Soo Greyhounds)
Sat. Feb. 17 (7:00pm @ Owen Sound Attack)
Mon. Feb. 19 (2:00pm vs. Windsor Spitfires)

London Lightning

The Lightning bounced back from back-to-back losses to win a pair of contests last week — including a statement win in Sudbury on Saturday.

Facing the Pontiac Pharaohs at home on Wednesday, London came out on top by a 122-105 margin. The Lightning came out strong in the first quarter with 36 points. Still, the feisty Pharaohs managed to grab a lead of their own, in the third quarter, before the Lightning took charge. They regained the lead and didn’t look back. Jermaine Haley Jr. led London with 28 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Shadell Millinghaus had a 14-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, while Rashad Smith had 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Nick Garth and Jachai Taylor both scored 17.

Facing the Sudbury Five on Saturday, London came out firing on all cylinders. They led by 10 after the first quarter and, despite a Billy White ejection in the second quarter, brought a 19-point lead into halftime. Down to seven players, the Lightning continued to push offensively, and actually built up their lead further, scoring 42 third-quarter points and leading by a game-high 36 points with 9:42 left in the fourth. The end result was a 141-125 win.

Rashad Smith had the best game of his BSL career, setting new league highs in both points (37) and three-pointers made (10). He finished the night 11-for-24 from the field (and 10-for-18 from beyond the arc). Shadell Milinghaus also had a bigtime game, producing 34 points and 10 rebounds. Jachai Taylor had a nifty 13-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Jermaine Haley Jr. and Jeremiah Mordi scored 22 and 17 points, respectively, with nine assists apiece. 

Up next:

A busy week lies ahead for the first-place Lightning (10-4), who will welcome Sudbury for a rematch (at Bud Gardens) Tuesday before departing for Newfoundland for three games in four days against the Rogues.

Tues. Feb. 13 (7:05pm vs. Sudbury Five)
Thurs. Feb. 15 (6:00pm @ Newfoundland Rogues)
Sat. Feb. 17 (6:00pm @ Newfoundland Rogues)
Sat. Feb. 18 (1:00pm @ Newfoundland Rogues)

Western Mustangs

There’s dynasty, and then there’s dominance. For an incredible 40th consecutive year, the Western Mustangs’ men’s squash team won the OUA championship on Sunday — and, fittingly, they did so in dominant fashion, not dropping a single game throughout the weekend.

Led by OUA MVP Salah Eltorgman, the Mustang men made quick work of Queen’s and Guelph Friday with 7-0 match wins. Wrapping up pool play Saturday, the ‘Stangs similarly shut out the McMaster Marauders 7-0 to march into the medal round with a perfect record.

The University of Toronto didn’t slow down Western, as the 39-time defending champs continued their 7-0 run in the semis. And then it was a rematch against Queen’s in the final — where the Mustangs won … 7-0.

Eltorgman and Dylan Deverill were named OUA All-Stars, while Daniel Deverill earned OUA Rookie of the Year honours, and Chris Hanebury was named Coach of the Year.