Gameday in 5
A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Apr. 4-10) — for London’s teams and athletes.
After a series-opening loss, the London Nationals regrouped to win three straight over the St. Thomas Stars to take a 3-1 series advantage in their first-round playoff matchup. (Photo: Bruce Laing).
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The Knights clinched their third straight Midwest Division title — despite losing all three games last week (one in a shootout). The team started the week with a 6-3 loss to the Saginaw Spirit. The Knights opened the scoring (Cody Morgan’s 24th), but the Spirit answered back with two goals of their own. Denver Barkey tied things for London in the second, but again the Spirit scored two straight to go up 4-2. Morgan brought the Knights within a goal late in the third, but the Spirit tacked on two empty-net goals for the 6-3 win.
On Friday, the Knights lost to the Owen Sound Attack (5-4) for the first time this season (they’d won each of the previous nine meetings this year). Down 2-1 to start the third period, the Knights tied the game on the power play. The Attack answered back with two of their own to go ahead 4-2. London came within a goal on Luke Evangelista’s 54th of the year, but the Attack answered back less than a minute later with an empty-netter. Morgan added a late goal for the Knights (his second of the game), but the Knights were unable to tie the game in the remaining 21 seconds. Antonio Stranges scored London’s other goal in the contest.
Sunday’s game was another close one, with the Knights losing 2-1 to the Guelph Storm in a shootout. The Storm scored the icebreaker on the powerplay and held the lead for most of the game. But with London’s goalie pulled late in the third, the Knights tied the game on a Brody Crane goal to force overtime — and give London the one point it needed to clinch the Midwest Division. After a scoreless OT, the Storm won the shootout, 2-1.
Up next:
Despite clinching the Midwest Division, the Knights (37-21-5-2) have lost six in a row (twice in overtime, as well as Sunday’s shootout loss). They’ll look to head into the playoffs (as the No. 2 seed) on a high note. Their next opponent, the Kitchener Rangers, is their likely opponent in the first round of the playoffs.
Wed. April 13 (7:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)
Sat. April 16 (7:05pm @ Saginaw Spirit)
Sun. April 17 (4:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting)
The Lightning continued their winning ways last week, coming out on top in all three of their games — including two on the road in Michigan against TBL opponents. London opened the week Wednesday with a 107-82 win over the visiting KW Titans at Budweiser Gardens. The Lightning held the Titans to just 27 points in the first half (while scoring 53 of their own), and they cruised from there. Mareik Isom had 22 points, 9 rebounds and a pair of two assists, while Chris Jones scored 21 with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Saturday’s game, south of the border, was close for half the game before the Lightning pulled away in the third quarter en route to a 112-94 win over the Lansing Pharaohs. Amir Williams had a huge performance with 40 points and 10 rebounds. Jones scored 26 with rebounds, while Jaylon Tate double-doubled with 14 points and 11 assists.
Playing short-handed again Sunday, the Lightning, with just five players, beat Flint United 95-88. The Lightning once again rode a strong first half to the win. Jordan Jensen-Whyte had a strong all-around game, scoring 29 points with 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals.
On Monday, April 11, it was announced that a trio of Lightning players (Jones, Williams and Jermaine Haley Jr.), plus head coach Doug Plumb, will represent the team at the inaugural NBLC-TBL All-Star Weekend Apr. 15-16.
Up next:
The Lightning (15-2) remain in first place in the NBL of Canada standings, 5.5 games ahead of the KW Titans. The Lightning will spend the rest of the month on the road, not returning home until May 2. Just one game on the schedule this week before All-Star Weekend.
Wed. April 14 (7:00pm @ Sudbury Five)
The Nationals had a very busy week, as they played their first four playoff games (in a best-of-seven) in their opening-round series against the St. Thomas Stars. Things got off to an inauspicious start Wednesday, as the No. 7 seed Stars won Game 1 by a 4-1 margin. Down 1-0 in the first, the Nats tied the game with Jacob Julien, whose goal was the only score London managed on the night. The Stars went on to win the game after scoring three unanswered goals — though their series lead would be short-lived …
The Nationals bounced back on Friday, winning 3-2 in a close Game 2. London scored the icebreaker in the first, with Riley Wood putting them up 1-0. The Stars answered back in the second with a pair of goals, but the Nationals scored two goals of their own in the third, with Owen McGowan tying the game and Rylan Bowers scoring the game-winner to even the series.
The Nationals then dominated the Stars Saturday, winning 4-1 to take a 2-1 series lead. After going down 1-0 within the first minute of play, London answered back with a short-handed goal by Lucas Chard. Chard scored two more goals in the second period to complete the hat-trick and put the game out of reach for the Stars. Jeff Burridge added to the team’s lead late in the second with an unassisted power play goal.
With a chance to put the Stars on the brink on Sunday, the Nationals won 5-3 to go up 3-1 in the series. The team got off to a slow start, trailing 2-0 at the start of the second period. But they answered back in the second, scoring two of their own, thanks to Burridge and Julien. With the game tied at two to start the third, Bowers scored twice on the powerplay and Burridge scored his second of the game to put the Nats up 5-2.
Up next:
The Nationals, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, will look to clinch round one of the playoffs with a win Wednesday over St. Thomas to move on to round two.
Playoffs - First Round (Nationals lead series 3-1)
Game 5: Wed. April 13 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas)
Game 6: Sat. April 16 (7:30pm @ St. Thomas) (if necessary)
Game 7: Sun. April 17 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas) (if necessary)
Around the Perimeter: London falling short from three, free throw line; Busy stretch to close out 2024; Will Bolts add to roster?; Fun with math. Columnist Jason Winders’ latest Lightning news & notes …