Knight Watch: London on a roll; Supporting cast stepping up

The Knights, less reliant lately on a few goal scorers, have won eight of last nine; Brochu’s playing better, Barkey’s on a roll; Busy 4-game week ahead. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has all the latest — and notes from around the OHL …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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That rough start to the season is starting to seem like a distant memory, as the London Knights now see themselves much closer to the top than to the bottom — and the Midwest Division leaders are in sight.

Following a slow start, where they won just once in their first six games, the Knights have since rattled off a dozen victories in their next 15 entering action Tuesday (Nov. 29). London’s 13 wins on the season is now second most in the Western Conference, at the time of this writing, and they trail Owen Sound by just three points for top spot in the division (and with two games in hand on the Attack).

Knights goalie Brett Brochu has certainly found his form, and he was named OHL Goaltender of the Week for his efforts in a pair of wins. He stopped all 28 shots he faced in Kitchener Friday night to record his first shutout of the season (and fifth of his OHL career). Then, he turned in a 34-save performance Sunday in another big road win (4-2 over Oshawa).

The reigning OHL Goaltender of the Year now has three straight wins, and he’s played a major role in each of them, making a combined 101 saves in those games. Brochu has also won six of his last seven starts and is putting forth his name among some all-time greats with the London Knights. More on that later …

Over the last few weeks, London’s offence has been much more spread out than in the early going. George Diaco had a four-point night in Flint a few games back, but other than that, the supporting cast has been stepping up. Brody Crane has points in all four of London’s latest wins, with five assists over that span. Sean McGurn has two goals and six assists during that same time period, while Denver Barkey has three goals and two assists (he’s got 11 points during an eight-game point streak).

London will look to keep the good times going with four games over six days this week, including a rare pair of midweek Midwest matchups — and a couple of cross-conference games on the weekend.

The team will get their first look at the Storm, as they host Guelph on Tuesday, a team that had a rough start to the season but has straightened things lately with four straight wins. London will then head to Erie Wednesday to play the Otters, a team they’ve lost to twice already this season. And then the busy stretch continues Friday night against last-place Niagara, before they visit Mississauga Sunday in what will be the Steelheads’ Teddy Bear Toss game.

Speaking of which, it’s that time of year again for the Knights, as the teddy bears will once again be flying at Budweiser Gardens when the Knights host Oshawa for their own annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Tuesday, December 6. Landon Sim scored the big goal in last year’s game.

Brett Brochu, who has struggled at times this year, has been on a roll lately. The 20-year-old has won three in a row and was recently named OHL Goalie of the Week. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS (*Team records and stats as of Tues. Nov. 29*)

Tuesday (Nov. 29, 7:30pm) vs. Guelph Storm (8-12-2-1, 4th in Midwest)

It’s the first matchup this season between Guelph and London. The Storm have certainly struggled this year, but they still boast plenty of offence — and they’ve won their last four games. Matthew Poitras and Danny Zhilkin lead the way, while Max Namestnikov has had an electric start to his Storm career with five goals and nine points in four games since being acquired from Sarnia. Cam Allen anchors Guelph’s blueline, and he’s likely going to be one of the first few OHLers selected in next spring’s NHL draft. Goaltending has been an issue at times this season for the Storm, with injuries and inconsistency both being a factor. Guelph boasts the league’s worst penalty kill, allowing a league-high 34 powerplay goals against.

Wednesday (Nov. 30, 6:30pm) @ Erie Otters (10-9-0-2, 3rd Midwest)

It’ll be a quick turnaround for London in Erie against a team just behind them in the Midwest Division. The Otters have surprised many this season and have beaten London in both head-to-head matchups so far. You’d have to go back to the 2016-17 season for the last time Erie beat London more than once — when an Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome club won four of the six matchups against London that year. Christian Kyrou is the third-highest scoring defenseman in the OHL with 27 points, and he has three points in two games against the Knights this season.

Friday (Dec. 2, 7:00pm) vs. Niagara IceDogs (6-12-3-0, 5th in Central)

The last-place IceDogs will be looking for some revenge after the Knights’ Logan Mailloux scored the overtime winner against them in Niagara earlier this season. The IceDogs have struggled so far, and they have just three wins in 11 games away from home. Niagara has a pair of former Knights in their lineup — Gerard Keane has two goals and 10 points, while goaltender Owen Flores has four wins in net. Former second overall pick Pano Fimis has seven goals and 18 points for the ‘Dogs.

Sunday (Dec. 4, 4:00pm) @ Mississauga Steelheads (12-7-3-0, 2nd in Central)

The streaking Steelheads are a tough matchup. Mississauga beat London in overtime in early October, although that was before the Knights even had their first win under their belt. That contest was a tight one, and the same can be expected Sunday. The Steelheads recently snapped a four-game winless streak. Earlier this season, they enjoyed a six-game winning streak. Mississauga has a lot of talent up front and boasts the league’s third best powerplay.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Oshawa’s Dylan Roobroeck snapped a four-game pointless skid with a goal and an assist against the London Knights Sunday. Brett Harrison was held off the scoresheet in that game, but he had three goals and six points in Oshawa’s three games prior to Sunday.

The Peterborough Petes’ Michael Simpson continues his impressive run. The OHL Goaltender of the Month for October was also named the OHL Goalie of the Week last week. He leads the league in goals against average and save percentage.

Noah Nelson scored his first OHL goal for the Hamilton Bulldogs. His insurance marker into the empty net helped seal Hamilton’s victory Sunday over the Soo Greyhounds.

Owen Van Steensel has two goals and two assists in his last five games with the North Bay Battalion.

Bryce McConnell-Barker has five goals and seven points in his last five games.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

23 - The Knights have had a fairly active blueline with 23 goals coming off the stick of a defender. Logan Mailloux leads with seven, while rookies Oliver Bonk and Sam Dickinson have scored five and three, respectively.

5 - Brett Brochu pulled into a tie for fifth on the London Knights’ all-time shutout list with his fifth career OHL shutout last Friday. He is still chasing Michael Houser (7), Tyler Parsons (8), Gene Chiarello (9) and Gerald Coleman (14) on that list. Meanwhile, Brochu is also fifth in wins with 71. Michael Houser’s team-record of 93 wins is still within reach.

13 - The London Knights have scored 18 goals during their current four-game winning streak, and it’s been a widespread offence with 13 different players finding the back of the net.

10 - The London Knights will look to do some home cooking for the holidays as 10 of their 12 games in December will be played at Budweiser Gardens. It will be a nice change of pace for the Knights, who have only played 10 home games so far this season.

AROUND THE OHL

Chris Lazary is an early frontrunner for OHL Coach of the Year, as the Saginaw Spirit have continued their impressive start. They’re currently riding a nine-game winning streak and sit first place in the Western Conference while also boasting the league’s top penalty kill.

Another strong candidate for top coach is Dave Cameron. The Ottawa 67’s sit first in the overall standings, leading the league in both goals for and goals against.

The OHL’s leading goal scorer has been red hot lately. Kingston’s Francesco Arcuri has four straight two-goal games. The Dallas Stars prospect has nine goals and 12 points during his current five-game point streak.

The Owen Sound Attack have three of the league’s top five scorers in Deni Goure, Cedrick Guindon and Colby Barlow. Eligible for the 2022 NHL draft, Barlow is also third in the OHL with 17 goals — and first with five game winners.

Michael Misa continues the historic start to his OHL career. The 15-year-old has four goals and nine points in his last four games, giving him 14 goals and 26 points in 18 games this season.