Knights in final four; FC London kicks off; Locals drafted to OHL

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Apr. 17-23) — for London’s teams and athletes.

Ryan Roobroeck was the top pick among the 11 local players selected in the 2023 OHL Draft, going second overall to the Niagara IceDogs. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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London Knights

With a 2-1 series lead over the Kitchener Rangers to start the week, the Knights finished off their opponents — in convincing fashion — by registering with back-to-back shutouts to win the series and advance to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2016.

After losing 6-1 the previous Sunday, the Knights bounced back last Tuesday, beating the Rangers 5-0 to move within a game of ending the series. After 13 minutes of scoreless hockey, Denver Barkey broke the ice and scored what turned out to be the game-winner. With 2-0 lead to start the second, Sean McGurn extended the lead to 3-0, and Ryan Humphrey made it 4-0. Connor Federkow added a goal in the third, while Knights netminder Brett Brochu stopped all 25 shots he faced to secure a shutout.

With a chance to move on to the Western Conference final, the Knights left no doubt on Thursday, winning 4-0 to punch their ticket to the OHL’s final four. After a scoreless first frame, the Knights’ offense surged in the second, scoring three times. Max McCue got things going early in the period, while Denver Barkey scored twice, eventually earning himself the first star of the game. Logan Mailloux added an empty net goal late in the third, and Brett Brochu recorded his second straight shutout — and fourth of the playoffs.

Up next:

And, so, the Knights are off to the Western Conference Final. They’re 8-1 in postseason play, but they’ll have their work cut out for themselves against the Sarnia Sting in the OHL’s final four. The best-of-seven series gets underway Friday at Budweiser Gardens, with Game 2 happening Sunday.

OHL Playoffs (Conference Final) - London Knights (2) vs. Sarnia Sting (3) (best-of-seven series)
Game 1: Fri. Apr. 28 (7:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting)
Game 2: Sun. Apr. 30 (2:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting)
Game 3: Tues. May 2 (7:05pm @ Sarnia Sting)
Game 4: Wed. May 3 (7:05pm @ Sarnia Sting)
Game 5: Fri. May 5 (7:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting) (if necessary)
Game 6: Sun. May 7 (2:05pm @ Sarnia Sting) (if necessary)
Game 7: Mon. May 8 (7:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting) (if necessary)

London Lightning

Playing their final two home games of the regular season, the London Lightning swept a back-to-back set against the visiting Kalamazoo Galaxy Friday and Saturday to extend their win streak to four games and their overall record to 21-6 — tied with the Sudbury Five for top spot in the NBLC standings.

Friday marked their eighth game against an opponent from The Basketball League (TBL) this year, and they outplayed the Galaxy to the tune of a 107-90 final margin. Playing without leading scorer Jordan Burns, who’s been dealing with back spasms, the Lightning built up a 16-point lead, 49-33, heading into halftime. It was fairly smooth sailing from there, as London rebounded from a subpar third quarter to close out with a 37-point fourth.

Marcus Ottey was the team’s leading scorer, tallying 22 points to go with 8 assists, 8 rebounds and a pair of steals. Jermaine Haley Jr., who earned Player of the Game honours, recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Mareik Isom had 21 points off the bench, while Jeremiah Mordi posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.

In the rematch on Saturday, the Lightning outlasted the Galaxy 114-103 to improve to 21-6 on the year. The Lighting rode a big third quarter to the victory, outscoring Kalamazoo by 14 in the frame. Jeremiah Mordi contributed everywhere, notching 24 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists. Kur Jongkuch scored 17 points with 10 rebounds, while Marcus Ottey and Lance Adams tallied 16 points apiece.

Up next:

While the Lightning were beating Kalamazoo, the Sudbury Five were dealt an upset loss by the Jamestown Jackals. That put both teams at 21-6 on the year. Sudbury won Sunday to improve to 22-6 and take a half-game lead in the standings. But London now has a shot at first place in the standings. And it could come down to the final game of the season, when the Lightning travel to play Sudbury on May 2. But first, London will have to win a pair of games this week against the KW Titans on the road.

Wed. Apr. 26 (7:00pm @ KW Titans)
Sun. Apr. 30 (2:00pm @ KW Titans)

FC London

Soccer is back! Both the men’s and women’s teams played their League1 Ontario season openers last weekend, braving the cool and rainy conditions to get their 2023 seasons underway. Both squads opened their seasons on the road, and both enjoyed strong games.

On the women’s side, FC London opened with a win, 3-2 over BVB IA Waterloo on Saturday. Playing at RIM Park, newcomer Olivia Brown scored London’s first goal of the year in the 6th minute. Reserve call-ups Cheyenne Bower (20th minute) and Charlotte Cromack (38th minute) also scored in the first half, giving London a comfortable lead. It was a battle in the second, though, as Waterloo netted a pair of goals to pull to within one. But the London squad held off the comeback effort and left town with a season-opening 3-2 win.

The men debuted Sunday night in a match against the St. Catharines Roma Wolves. The home side struck first, scoring in the 10th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Before the first half was done, the teams exchanged goals (London’s by Kuhle Bekwayo). That made it 2-1 St. Catharines, and that would remain the score through the end of the contest.

Up next:

Both teams will play on the road again this week, with the Women (1-0) heading to Scarborough and the Men (0-1) heading to Guelph.

Women: Sat. Apr. 29 (7:00pm @ Alliance United FC)

Men: Thurs. Apr. 27 (8:00pm @ Guelph United)

OHL Draft

Eleven local hockey players from the London Jr. Knights’ and Elgin-Middlesex Canucks’ U16 teams were selected in 2023 OHL Draft held Friday and Saturday.

Ryan Roobroeck was the top local pick, going 2nd overall to the Niagara IceDogs. He led the Alliance league in scoring in 2022-23, tallying 51 goals and 79 points in 30 regular season games. He also won gold with Team Ontario at the Canada Winter Games and spent some time with the Junior B London Nationals.

A trio of Roobroeck’s Jr. Knights teammates went next, led by Aiden Young who went 16th overall to the Saginaw Spirit. Parker Snelgrove (30th, Guelph Storm) and Ethan Weir (42nd, Kingston Frontenacs) then went in the second round.

A pair of Elgin-Middlesex Canucks were chosen in the 4th round -- Noah Jenken (66th, London Knights) and goaltender Matthew Koprowski (72nd, Owen Sound Attack). And then Canuck Liam Ladds was taken in the 5th round (88th, Peterborough).

The other local picks …

10th Rd - Zack Irvin, EM Canucks (185th, Soo Greyhounds)
10th Rd - Gavin Puhl, Jr. Knights (186th, Kingston)
12th Rd - Tanner Ducharme, Jr. Knights (230th, Erie)
12th Rd - Braedon Clark, Jr. Knights (238th, London)