Knight Watch: Key rival series on tap

It’s a home-and-home series against a challenging rival — the Windsor Spitfires — for the Knights this weekend. Columnist Jake Jeffrey says the key could be limiting Windsor’s league-leading shots on goal — and clamping down on the penalty kill.

Antonio Stranges, who has been among the hottest offensive players in the OHL in recent weeks, signed an entry level contract with the Dallas Stars last week. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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After splitting a pair of games in Sault Ste. Marie last weekend, the Knights continued their shootout success with a victory over Guelph on Wednesday.

It’s been a big week for Antonio Stranges, who signed his Entry Level Contract with the Dallas Stars this week. He also has 13 points in his last eight games.

Prior to Wednesday, five of Stranges’ previous 10 goals were game winners. Against Guelph, he tied the game with just over three minutes left in regulation, before later scoring in the shootout.

Following his third hat trick of the season, and another goal in the win over the Storm, captain Luke Evangelista now has an impressive 42 goals in 42 games.

The London Knights were honourable mentions in the latest CHL Top Ten rankings, with Hamilton (4th) and Kingston (10th) the only OHL teams to get a number. The Flint Firebirds were also honourable mentions.

Some Canadian Hockey League news in response to Russia’s current invasion of Ukraine: The CHL has officially cancelled the 2022 Canada-Russia Series, which would normally be held in November.

The league says no decision has been made on the 2022 CHL Import Draft, but an announcement on that is expected at a later date.

Liam Gilmartin really came to life in February. During a two-week stretch (Feb. 4-18), the 19-year-old tallied 13 points (7 G, 6 A) over seven games. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (March 4, 7:30pm) (home) & Sunday (March 5, 4:05pm) @ Windsor Spitfires (27-14-2-3)

It’s a home-and-home series this weekend between the Knights and Spitfires. Both teams rely on their top scorers, as Wyatt Johnston leads the OHL with 85 points (33 more than Windsor’s second leading scorer, Matthew Maggio. London’s leading scorer, Luke Evangelista, meanwhile, has a 28-point advantage over No. 2 scorer Antonio Stranges.

One thing about Windsor: they take a lot of shots. They’ve outshot their opponents in all but eight games this season — although they still managed to win five of those games. At just over 25 per cent, the Spits boast the second best powerplay in the OHL. But it could be their penalty kill that is the factor this weekend. In both of Windsor’s wins over London this season, they kept London's powerplay off the scoresheet, while the Knights tallied a powerplay goal in all four of their wins over the Spitfires this year. 

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Goaltender Michael Simpson has won three straight for the Peterborough Petes as they battle for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He’s made 101 saves in those three victories.

Defensemen Brodie McConnell-Barker is the second member of the London Junior Knights’ U16 team to be highlighted by OHL Central Scouting ahead of this year’s draft.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

Brett Brochu continued his shootout success Wednesday, stopping both shots he faced in last week’s win over Guelph. He’s now stopped 15 of 17 shootout attempts this season. Windsor’s Daniel D’Amico is one of the two players to score on Brochu in a shootout this season (Owen Sound’s Deni Gourde is the other member of that exclusive club).

Overage forward Cody Morgan has six assists in his last three games.

FORMER KNIGHTS

The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to retire Rick Nash’s Number 61 Saturday before they host the Boston Bruins. Nash’s number 61 is one of nine numbers already retired by the Knights.