Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Jan. 16-22) — for London’s teams and athletes.

A first-place showdown is on tap this week between the London Nationals and Leamington Flyers, who play a home-and-home series Wednesday and Thursday. (Photo: Bruce Laing).

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London Knights

Entering the week on a 3-game losing streak, the Knights got back on track on Tuesday, beating the Kitchener Rangers 7-3. London was in command for much of the game, holding a 5-1 lead heading into the third period. Easton Cowan and Ryan Humphrey both scored in the first, while Logan Mailloux, George Diaco, and Ryan Winterton notched goals in the second. The Rangers scored twice in the third, but the Knights tallied two more of their own.

The offense showed up again on Friday, as the Knights beat the Owen Sound Attack, 9-1, in a lopsided affair. The Attack actually scored first, meaning London tallied nine unanswered goals the remainder of the contest. The Knights had eight different goal scorers, with Brody Crane being the only player to score twice. Winterton, Denver Barkey, Humphrey, Diaco, Sean McGurn, Ruslan Gazizov and Landon Sim were the other seven goal scorers. Meanwhile, goalie Brett Brochu stopped 28 of 29 shots in a winning effort.

After a strong offensive showing Friday, the Knights were held to two goals in a 5-2 loss Sunday against in a Rangers rematch. Cowan and Gazizov scored the team’s only two goals (both in the second period). Down by just a goal to start the third, the Knights allowed two empty net goals late to lose by three.

Up next:

The Knights (28-12-1-0), who sit in second place in the Western Conference (three points behind Windsor) entering action Tuesday, have a three-game week ahead — all on the road.

Thurs. Jan. 26 (7:05pm @ Peterborough Petes)
Fri. Jan. 27 (7:00pm @ Ottawa 67’s)
Sun. Jan. 28 (7:00pm @ Kingston Frontenacs)

London Lightning

The Lightning opened their 2023 season Thursday — and it was a rough one. After raising their 2022 championship banner, London struggled out of the gate in 2023, losing 86-83 at home to the Sudbury Five. The loss was actually the Lightning’s first home loss since before the COVID-19 pandemic (they went a perfect 16-0 at home last season). After falling behind 11-1 early, the Lighting trailed by 13 at halftime. They fought back in the second half, though, ultimately making it a one-possession game twice in the final two minutes.

With a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, an exhausted Terry Thomas, who played 38 minutes (due to a first-half ejection of guard Chris Jones), mistakenly attempted a 2-pointer when the team needed three points, and Sudbury held on for the win. Despite his late-game misstep, Thomas was London’s player of the game, scoring a game-high 28 points (12-of-25 shooting) with 13 rebounds. Jordan Burns (12 points) was the only other Lightning player to reach double figures. A postgame altercation resulted in Jones being suspended indefinitely — and the Lightning have announced that the point guard is done for the year. 

After a tough loss Thursday, the Lightning got in the win column Saturday against Windsor with a 105-83 victory at Budweiser Gardens. This time it was Burns who shined, scoring 26 points with nine assists and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, newcomer Mike Edwards had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. After a close first quarter, the Lightning pulled ahead in the second by outscoring the Express 35-14 in the frame. London cruised to the win from there. Mareik Isom, Thomas and Mike Nuga each reached double figures in scoring.

Up next:

The Lightning are now on the road — in a different province. London will play a trio of games over four days against the TBL’s Newfoundland Rogues before their next home game Feb. 1.

Wed. Jan. 25 (7:00pm @ Newfoundland Rogues)
Fri. Jan. 27 (7:00pm @ Newfoundland Rogues)
Sat. Jan. 28 (7:00pm @ Newfoundland Rogues)

London Nationals

The Nationals split their two games last week. They started things with a 3-2 win over the St. Marys Lincolns on Wednesday at home. Brayden Thompson scored the icebreaker in the first period to get the Nationals off to a strong start. The offense kept rolling in the second, with Jaeden French and Talan Palmer both scoring to put the team up 3-0. The Lincolns cut into the lead at the 16:34 mark and added a second goal in the third, but they came up short in the end.

The Nationals didn’t fair as well on Sunday, losing 4-2 to the Chatham Maroons. London scored the icebreaker once again, this time with Riley Wood putting the team ahead. Chatham responded late in the first to tie the game and then added another two in the second period to take the lead. The Nationals came within a goal early in the third, thanks to Talan Palmer, but they were unable to tie the game.

Up next:

The Nationals (27-7-3-1) are now in a tie for top spot in the Western Conference with the Leamington Flyers heading into action Tuesday. In other words, it’ll be quite the showdown week, as the two teams will go head-to-head twice in a home-and-home series …

Wed. Jan. 25 (7:00pm vs. Leamington Flyers)
Thurs. Jan. 26 (7:10pm @ Leamington Flyers)