Gameday in 5
A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (March 28-Apr. 3) — for London’s teams and athletes.
The London Nationals, second in the Conference to Leamington, will open their GOJHL playoffs with a first-round series against the St. Thomas Stars beginning Wednesday. (Photo: Bruce Laing).
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The Knights had a difficult week, losing all three of their games (though they picked up a point in two of them with overtime defeats). A tough 5-4 overtime loss to the Flint Firebirds Wednesday opened their week. With the game tied 1-1 to start the second period, the Firebirds scored two short-handed goals in 17 seconds to take a 3-1 lead. Camaryn Baber brought the Knights within a goal on the powerplay, but the Firebirds responded later in the period. The Knights answered back in the third, and goals by Max McCue and Luke Evangelista forced overtime. But it was the Firebirds who came out on top, scoring just past the four-minute mark of the extra frame.
A rematch with the Firebirds Friday — this time at home — went Flint’s way again, this time a 3-1 decision at Budweiser Gardens. London scored its lone goal in the first period thanks to Luke Evangelista’s 52nd of the season. With the game tied at one in the third period, the Firebirds took the lead on a short-handed goal and then added another goal later in the period to put the game out of reach.
The Knights experienced a bit of déjà vu Saturday, losing 5-4 in overtime on the road — this time to the Barrie Colts. The Knights found themselves playing from behind once again, down 2-1 to start the second. After a Colts goal extended their lead, the Knights answered back with Luke Evangelista scoring late in the second and Landon Sim tying the game at 3 just before the halfway mark of the third. The teams traded goals again shortly after, with Isaiah George scoring for the Knights to force an extra frame. But it was the Colts who scored in overtime, less than 4 minutes in.
Up next:
Following a tough week, the Knights (37-19-5-1) continue to lead their division, but they’re now a distant second in the Western Conference to the Windsor Spitfires (and third by points, trailing Flint by one entering the week). London will play a trio of games this week looking to make up ground.
Wed. April 6 (7:05pm @ Saginaw Spirit)
Fri. April 8 (7:30pm vs. Owen Sound Attack)
Sun. April 10 (2:00pm vs. Guelph Storm)
The Lightning had their season-opening 11-game win streak snapped — and it happened in the franchise’s first game south of the border. On Thursday in Albany, NY, the Lightning’s quest for a new win streak record to start the year was stopped by the Patroons, 97-90, at the historic Washington Avenue Armory.
Trailing 28-23 after the first quarter, the Lightning bounced back in the second, outscoring the home side 30-19 to take a lead into halftime. That lead changed hands in the third, though, as the Patroons outplayed the Lightning in the quarter to take a 6-point advantage into the final frame. With 1:29 left, Chris Jones hit a jumper to make it a four-point game, but London couldn’t win the foul-free throw game in the final minutes. Cameron Forte led the way for the Lightning with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Amir Williams had 17/7, while Terry Thomas had 22 points off the bench.
In another close game, the Lightning lost a heartbreaker on Saturday, dropping a 103-102 decision to the KW Titans on the road. With the lead changing hands throughout the game, it all came down to the final minutes. Down 100-95, the Lightning fought their way back. With just over a minute left, Jaylon Tate drained a 3-pointer to tie things up at 102. The Titans then made a single free throw to take the lead. On the final possession, Terry Thomas missed a 3-pointer. Amir Williams grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled, but he was unable to make either free throw and the Titans came away with the one-point win. Jones led with 24 points, while Williams had 22 and Forte had 18. Thomas had another big game off the bench with 20 points.
Following back-to-back losses (their only losses of the year thus far), the Lightning got back in the win column on Sunday by beating the Flint United, 113-83, on home court. The Lightning outscored the United in every quarter in the lopsided matchup, and seven players scored in double figures. London had strong bench performances. Josiah Mastandrea led the way in scoring with 21 points (including six 3-pointers). Newcomer Marcus Ottey had an 11-point/10-assist double-double, while Abednego Lufile also double-doubled with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Jordan Jensen-Whyte went 18/8/5 with two steals and two blocks.
Up next:
The Lightning (12-2) remain in first place in the NBL of Canada standings, 3.5 games ahead of the KW Titans. They’ll get a rematch against KW Wednesday and then hit the road, beginning with a pair of games south of the border.
Wed., April 6 (7:00pm vs. Kitchener Waterloo Titans)
Sat. April 9 (7:00pm @ Lansing Pharaohs)
Sun. April 10 (3:00pm @ Flint United)
The Nationals had a strong finish to their regular season, winning two of their final three contests, including a big win over the Western Conference-leading Leamington Flyers — though they came up just short of claiming top spot in the Conference themselves.
The Nats started the week strong with a dominant 6-1 win over the first-place Flyers. London scored four goals in the first period alone. Jack Bunker scored the icebreaker, while Sam Van Der Zalm, Riley Wood, and Owen McGowan scored the others. Lucas Chard added to the lead late in the second. The Flyers scored their lone goal in the final minute of the second, while Nationals captain Jeff Burridge scored his 31st of the year late in the third to close out the game.
Following Friday’s blowout win, Saturday’s game was a lot closer, and the Nationals fell 3-2 to the Komoka Kings. After a scoreless first, the Kings scored the lone goal in the second. Before the Nationals could answer back, Komoka scored a short-handed goal to take a 2-0 lead. The Nats finally got on the board thanks to Jacob Julien, but the Kings answered back shortly after. Riley Wood brought the Nats to within a goal late in the period, but the team was unable to tie things up.
Another close game on Sunday resulted in a Nationals win this time around, 2-1 in overtime over the LaSalle Vipers on the road. After a scoreless first period, Sam Van Der Zalm scored for London, with the Vipers tying things up shortly thereafter. Following a scoreless third, Riley Wood netted the overtime winner shortly after the 4-minute mark.
Up next:
The Nationals (34-11-2-1) claimed second spot in the Western Conference, just a point behind Leamington. As the second seed, they’ll play seventh-place St. Thomas Stars in the first round of the playoffs, with action getting underway Wednesday at the Western Fair District.
Playoffs - First Round
Game 1: Wed. April 6 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas)
Game 2: Fri. April 8 (7:30pm @ St. Thomas)
Game 3: Sat. April 9 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas)
Game 4: Sun. April 10 (7:30pm @ St. Thomas)
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