Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Feb. 28-March 6) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Bruce Laing).

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London Knights

The Knights had a solid week, winning two of three — although both wins required an extra frame. The week started out well, with London beating the Guelph Storm, 4-3, in a shootout on Wednesday. After a scoreless first, the Storm took the lead less than a minute into the second. The Knights answered back shortly after with Max McCue scoring his 7th of the year (assists to Ethan MacKinnon and Sean McGurn). After trading goals again, the teams entered the third period tied at 2. Guelph took the lead again early in the third before Antonio Stranges tied it again to force overtime. With neither team scoring in the extra frame, it headed to a shootout, where the Knights scored twice (including Logan Mailloux’s winner) and goalie Brett Brochu stopped both shots he faced for the victory.

After Wednesday's back and forth game, Friday’s contest against the Windsor Spitfires was a different story. The Knights took a two-goal lead into the second, thanks to goals by Denver Barkey and Sean McGurn in the first. Isaiah George added to the lead in the second, and the Knights took a 3-0 lead into the third. But Windsor answered back — in a big way. They scored three goals in just over two minutes to tie the game. Then, after the Knights took a 4-3 lead, the the Spitfires responded again and forced overtime. Fortunately for the Knights, Gerard Keane scored the game-winner just past the 3-minute mark on a goal assisted by McGurn and Max McCue.

The Knights didn’t fare as well on Sunday, losing 6-4 in a rematch against Windsor — this time on the road. After opening the scoring in the first, the Knights allowed three unanswered goals before the period was over. London got a goal back in the second, with Luke Evangelista scoring his 43rd goal of the year. And then they managed to tie it on an Antonio Stranges power-play goal. But Windsor answered back by scoring twice and taking a 5-3 lead. Cody Morgan brought the Knights within a goal late in the period, but the Spitfires iced things with an empty netter for the win.

Up next:

The Knights (32-14-2-0), who enter the week second in points (but first in winning percentage) in the Western Conference, trailing only the Flint Firebirds, have a busy four-game week on tap, including a contest against Kitchener, a pair against Sarnia, and a showdown against Flint on home ice.

Tues. March 8 (7:00pm @ Kitchener Rangers)
Wed. March 9 (7:05pm @ Sarnia Sting)
Fri. March 11 (7:30pm vs Flint Firebirds)
Sun. March 13 (2:05pm @ Sarnia Sting)

London Lightning

The Lightning continued to roll this week, winning both of their games to improve to 4-0 on the season. The team got off to a rough start in Saturday’s home opener against the KW Titans, allowing 34 points in the first quarter. At one point, they trailed 24-2 in the early going. Impressively, they rode a strong second half to a 104-90 victory. Forward Cameron Forte led the way with 32 points in 32 minutes, making 14-of-19 shots on the night. Terry Thomas had another strong showing off the bench, scoring 16 points in the second half and 21 points overall.   

The Lightning then extended their win streak to four games on Sunday by beating the Lansing Pharaohs, 104-90, in their first inter-league game with The Basketball League (TBL). With the team on short rest playing back-to-back games, the Lightning relied heavily on their bench players. Terry Thomas led the way with a team-high 19 points in 21 minutes. Mareik Isom, Jordan Jensen-Whyte and Amir Williams each had 12 points to help lead London to victory.

Up next:

The Lightning will look to keep their undefeated streak going this week and hold on to the top spot in the NBLC standings. After their first-ever inter-league game Sunday, the Lightning will only play NBLC teams this week.

Wed. March 9 (7:00pm vs. KW Titans)
Sat. March 12 (7:00pm vs. Sudbury Five)
Sun. March 13 (2:00pm vs. Windsor Express)

London Nationals

The Nationals had a tough week, going 1-2 and picking up just three points in three games. Things got started with a tough 3-2 overtime loss to the Leamington Flyers. With London up 1-0 to start the second, the Flyers responded and tied the game just past the 9-minute mark. The Nats took the lead back thanks to an unassisted short-handed goal by Jeff Burridge. But with less than 20 seconds left in the period, the Flyers tied the game again on the power play. After a scoreless third, the Flyers earned the overtime victory with a goal less than 3 minutes in to the extra frame.

After a close game Wednesday, the Nationals suffered a tough loss Saturday, losing 5-1 to the LaSalle Vipers. The Nats opened the scoring in the first thanks to a Daniel Torrealba goal (assisted by Bradyn Santavy and Ryan Nichols). But the Vipers tied the game just past the 13-minute mark — and then went on to score four unanswered goals to cruise to the win.

London was able to salvage the week on Sunday by beating the Chatham Maroons 4-3. Down 1-0 to start the second, Nicholas Beaupre scored an unassisted goal to tie things up. Chatham took the lead back minutes later, but the Nats tied the game again less than a minute after that, with Jacob Julien scoring a short-handed goal. With the game tied 2-2, Bradyn Santavy scored to give the Nats their first lead of the game. Chatham answered back with another power-play goal, but Ryan Nichols scored the game-winner with less than a minute and a half left in the game.

Up next:

The Nationals (27-7-2-1, first in Western Conference) will look to bounce back after last week’s tough losses with a pair of contests against familiar foes. With their lead in the Conference shrinking to three points, the Nats will look to hold off the Leamington Flyers atop the standings.

Wed. March 9 (7:00pm vs. St. Marys Lincolns)
Sat. March 12 (7:30pm vs. LaSalle Vipers)