Knights lead shrinks; Lightning take 2 of 3; Majors signings
Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Feb. 26-March 3) — for London’s teams and athletes.
Pitcher Jose Arias, a member of the 2022 team, is one of the London Majors’ top signings so far for the 2024 season. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
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It wasn’t the best of weeks for the Knights, as they lost two of their three contests — although one was in overtime where they secured a point.
Hosting the Oshawa Generals on Wednesday, London fell 6-4. Down 3-1 to start the third period, Denver Barkey cut the lead to one, scoring a power play marker at the 3:21 mark. But Oshawa responded shortly afterwards, scoring two quick goals to restore the three-goal advantage.With less than four minutes to play, Kasper Halttunen and Barkey scored back-to-back goals in a 33-second span to once again bring things to within a goal. But the Knights were unable to push across another with the goalie pulled, and an empty netter for Generals closed things out.
Looking to turn things around on Friday, the Knights hit the road and lost a 4-3 decision to Kitchener in overtime. Holding a 1-0 lead heading into the second period, Kasper Halttunen extended London’s advantage just after the five-minute mark. The Rangers pushed back shortly afterwards to tie the game, but with a minute left in the frame, Easton Cowan scored a short hander to regain the lead for London. It was all Kitchener going forward, though, with the Rangers tying the game in the third to force overtime before closing the game out 46 seconds into the extra frame.
After picking up a single point on Friday, the Knights got back in the win column Saturday with a 4-3 victory over the Flint Firebirds. Up 1-0 at the end of the first period, thanks to Kasper Halttunen, the Knights opened the second period with two quick goals. Both were power play markers, with Max McCue scoring at the 1:15 mark and Sam O’Reilly delivering two minutes later. The Firebirds punched back, coming within a goal, but McCue scored a shorthanded marker to extend the lead to two once again. Flint added a goal in the final minute of play, but they were unable to tie things up.
Up next:
The Knights, holding on to a one-point advantage on Saginaw for top spot in the Western Conference, have a three-game week ahead, beginning Wednesday in Guelph. After that, they’ll play five of their remaining seven games at home.
Wed. March 6 (6:30pm @ Guelph Storm)
Fri. March 8 (7:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting)
Sat. March 9 (4:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)
Coming into the week having lost two in a row, the Lightning bounced back on Tuesday with a close 91-90 win at home over the Windsor Express. It was a close contest throughout. After a high-scoring first half (62-58 in favour of the Lightning), the teams played a tight, defensive second half, exchanging buckets when they did score. Windsor took a 90-88 lead on a pair of Tyler Groce free throws with 2:29 left.
After two minutes without scoring, Billy White tied up the game with a layup. And then, on the game’s final possession, he made the second of two free throws with 1.6 seconds left to earn the victory for London. White was London’s leading scorer with 31 points and 9 rebounds, while Chris Jones scored 18 with 6 assists. Nick Garth had 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Riding their momentum into Friday, the Lightning beat the Newfoundland Rogues, 118-94, in the first matchup between the two teams this season. Tied 48-48 at halftime, the Lightning won the game with a bigtime third quarter, outscoring the visiting Rogues 36-14 in the frame to take a commanding 22-point lead. Newfoundland was unable to overcome the deficit. Jermaine Haley Jr. led the London offense with 30 points (adding 8 rebounds and 7 assists), while Chris Jones had another strong performance, scoring 21. JD Tisdale, in his second game in a Lightning uniform, tallied 17 points.
Looking to extend their win streak to three on Sunday, the Lightning came out flat and lost 100-95 to the Windsor Express on home court. Windsor led by seven after the first quarter and 11 at the half. The Lightning did turn things around in the third quarter, eventually taking a lead of their own (71-67) heading into the fourth. But the Express took charge from there, closing out strong for the win. Chris Jones had 26 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists in a losing effort for London, while Billy White had a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Up next:
The Lightning (12-7), who enter the week one game behind the KW Titans for top spot in the BSL standings, have a two-game week ahead — one vs. rival Sudbury and a TBL affair.
Tues. March 5 (7:00pm vs. Sudbury Five)
Sun. March 1 (2:00pm vs. Glass City Wranglers)
The Majors continued to announce signings for the 2024 season last week, including infielders Victor Plaz and Gibson Krzeminski, the latter player a member of the 2022 championship-winning team who took a year off but will be back in the pinstripes this summer.
On Monday, the Majors announced the signing of pitcher Jaryd Lund, who spent time with the club the past three seasons as a junior but will be a full-time member in 2024. He’ll join a pitching staff that so far includes ace right-hander Jose Arias (a member of 2022 team) and newcomers Cohen Achen, Jonathan Henry and Travis Keys.
Position players signed so far include catcher Eduardo de Oleo, outfielders Byron Reichstein, Starling Joseph, and infielders Tommy Reyes-Cruz and Tristan Osika. More signings — pitchers and position players alike — will be announced in the coming weeks.
After winning back-to-back IBL titles in 2021 and 2022, the Majors experienced a down season last summer, finishing in the bottom half of the league and losing in their first-round playoff series against the Kitchener Panthers. The team is looking to bounce back this summer.
The defending champion London Lightning begin their title defense Nov. 23 on the road vs. Sudbury, the first of a 34-game schedule that runs thru March. Home opener happens Nov. 28 vs. Newfoundland.