Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Nov. 29-Dec. 5) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Mathieu Belanger).

Western Mustangs

The Western Mustangs are Vanier Cup champions. They earned the title as Canadian champs — for the second time in the last four seasons — by beating the Saskatchewan Huskies, 27-21, on Saturday in Quebec City. The title is their eighth U SPORTS national championship in school history.

The Mustangs got off to a fast start, jumping out to a 7-0 lead on a 25-yard touchdown run by Trey Humes less than three minutes into the game. The Huskies responded, though, and a touchdown and a pair of field goals Saskatchewan up 12-9 at halftime. But it was all Mustangs in the third quarter. They scored a pair of touchdowns in the frame — both on passes to Griffin Campbell from quarterback Evan Hillock (including a 50-yard connection — to go up 24-14 heading into the fourth.

The Mustangs’ defense then continued its second half lockdown mode in the final quarter to ensure victory. The Huskies managed a late-game score (28 seconds remaining), but it was too little too late, as Western’s 27-21 win earned them the national title. Hillock, the game’s MVP, finished 18 of 29 for 274 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Campbell had six catches for 104 yards (and those two second quarter scores). Trey Humes had 13 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Valente Jr. (8.5 tackles), meanwhile, was named Defensive Player of the Game.

London Knights

The Knights split their two games, finishing the weekend with a 3-point lead over their division rivals, the Guelph Storm. London opened the weekend with a 4-1 win over the Erie Otters Friday night. Ahead 2-0 at the start of the second period, the Knights allowed an Otters goal three minutes in, but that would be all the visitors could muster. Ruslan Gazizov then scored his second of the game, and Bryce Montgomery capped the scoring with his first career OHL goal in the third. Colton Smith had London’s other goal, while Luke Evangelista had three assists on the night.

Saturday featured a back-and-forth game against the Sarnia Sting — one they ultimately lost, 3-2. Down 1-0 early, Landon Sim scored his fourth of the year to tie the score 1-1 after one. The Sting took the lead back in the second, but Isaiah George’s first career OHL marker (short-handed, no less) tied things again, just 32 seconds later. Before the frame was over, though, the Sting re-took their lead and held on for the entire third period to come away with the win.

Up next:

The Knights (16-5-1-0) will play without goalie Brett Brochu and captain Luke Evangelista in the lineup as they leave for Canada’s World Junior Selection Camp. Should both players make the team, the Knights could be without either player until early in the new year.

Tue. Dec. 7 (7:00pm @ Kitchener Rangers)
Fri. Dec. 10 (7:30pm vs. Windsor Spitfires)
Sat. Dec. 11 (4:00pm vs. Guelph Storm)

London Nationals

The Nationals won both of their games and finished the week holding a 3-point lead over the second-place Komoka Kings in the GOJHL’s Western Conference. The Nats beat the Strathroy Rockets 4-2 on Wednesday thanks to a three-goal third period. Down 2-0 midway through the second, Ryan Nichols scored a power-play goal to bring the team within one heading into the third. Zach Power scored the game-tying goal 13 minutes into the third, and Jeff Burridge scored the game-winner three minutes later. Burridge had a goal and two assists, while Power had a goal and an assist.

The Nationals then beat the Leamington Flyers, 3-2, the following night on the road. Four of the combined five goals in the game came in the first period. Down 2-1, the Nats’ Logan Pace Roth scored the game-tying goal just after the 15-minute mark. Burridge then scored the game-winner just 18 seconds into the second period. Goalie Aiden Berry stopped all 13 shots he faced in the third period to secure the win. Ryan Nichols scored his eighth of the year during the contest, while Power had a pair of assists.

Up next:

The Nationals (17-3-1-1) have a difficult schedule this week, playing the second-place Komoka Kings on Wednesday and the 3rd-place St. Marys Lincolns on Friday, but it’ll also provide the Nats the opportunity to distance themselves from the pack if they can win both games. They’ll finish the week against another team with a winning record, the LaSalle Vipers, on Sunday.

Wed. Dec. 8 (7:00pm vs. Komoka Kings)
Fri. Dec. 10 (7:30pm @ St. Marys Lincolns)
Sun. Dec. 12 (2:30pm @ LaSalle Vipers)