Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Jan. 9-15) — for London’s teams and athletes.

London Lightning at practice last week in preparation for their season tip-off Thursday, Jan. 19. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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London Knights

The Knights had an uncharacteristically tough week, losing both of their games. In fact, including their loss the previous Sunday in Sault Ste. Marie, London has lost three straight after a remarkable stretch of 21 wins in 23 games.

It was Guelph who got the better of the Knights first, 6-3, on Friday night at Budweiser Gardens. Oliver Bonk got London off to an early lead in the contest, scoring the icebreaker at the 4:37 mark, but the Storm responded with two goals of their own. The Knights tied the game when Ruslan Gazizov notched his 13th goal of the season which sent the teams into the intermission tied 2-2. London’s Jacob Julien scored the lone second-period goal, but it was all Guelph in the third, as the Storm put up four unanswered goals in the period to win the game.

Sunday’s game, also at home, produced the same outcome — this time against the new-look Windsor Spitfires, who acquired both Shane Wright and Londoner Brett Harrison before the trade deadline to stock up for a playoff run. Against the Knights, they won 4-1, with Wright scoring a pair. London’s lone goal came from their own pre-deadline acquisition, Ryan Winterton.

Up next:

The Knights (26-11-1-0), now on a three-game losing streak, will play a trio of games this week beginning Tuesday in Kitchener. London is still tops in the Midwest Division (by seven points) and is second in the Western Conference (behind Windsor).

Tues. Jan. 17 (7:00pm @ Kitchener Rangers)
Fri. Jan. 20 (7:00pm vs. Owen Sound Attack)
Sun. Jan. 22 (2:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)

London Lightning

It’s debut week for the London Lightning, who open their 2023 season at home vs. the Sudbury Five on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7pm at Budweiser Gardens. Last week the team continued its training camp — and added some players to the roster.

Most notable was the announcement of the return of Terry Thomas, the 2022 NBLC Finals MVP. In 27 games overall last season (including playoffs), the veteran played a team-high 36.1 minutes per game, averaging 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals. He was named both Sixth Man and Canadian Player of the Year.

Last Tuesday, the team announced they’d signed Cameron Lard, an American forward. On the weekend, Mike Edwards was announced as a new signing. A returning NBLC player, Edwards is a former All-Rookie Team member who played with the St. John’s Edge in 2019-2020. He also has G-League experience with the Lakeland Magic (2021-22).

And on Tuesday (Jan. 17), the Lightning announced the return of Jordan Burns, who played a key role down the stretch for London en route to their 2022 NBLC championship title. In 10 games overall, including playoffs, Burns averaged 17.1 points, 2.7 three-pointers, and 3.8 assists.

London’s roster is ever-changing, due to new signings, player cuts, etc., but the most recent group includes ...

Marcus Ottey, Chris Jones, Mareik Isom, Justin Jackson, Terry Thomas, Cameron Lard, Mike Edwards, Jordan Burns, Christian Nobles, Lance Adams, Mike Nuga, Adham Eleeda, Otas Iyekekpolor,

Up next:

The Lightning will tip off their 2023 season Thursday when they host Sudbury at Budweiser Gardens. In the 11th NBLC season, the Lightning are looking to defend their title and go back-to-back for the third time in franchise history.

Thurs. Jan. 19 (7:00pm vs. Sudbury Five)
Sat. Jan. 21 (7:00pm vs. Windsor Express)

London Nationals

The Nationals split their two games last week, with one low-scoring affair and one high-scoring contest. The first was a 1-0 overtime loss to the Leamington Flyers Wednesday at home. Through three periods, Leamington, who is fighting for top spot in the Western Conference alongside London, outshot the Nationals 34-21. Neither team was able to score. The extra frame was short-lived, though, with Leamington scoring the game-winner at the 2:30 mark.

After a close game Wednesday, the Nats beat the Strathroy Rockets 7-4 on Saturday. After the Rockets took a quick lead to open the contest, London responded just 22 seconds later with Tanner Ryan tying the game. Tanner Winegard gave the Nationals the lead less than 30 seconds later with his 6th goal of the year. The Rockets tied the game up, but Rylan Bowers put London back ahead before the end of the period. Both teams scored twice in the second. Lucas Carson doubled the Nats’ lead before the Rockets responded with two of their own to tie the score. Sam O’Reilly scored the game-winner shortly after, and then with Brayden Thompson and Riley Wood added insurance goals in the third.

Up next:

The Nationals (26-6-3-1) are still tops in the Western Conference heading into a new week, but they’re only two points ahead of Leamington (with the Flyers holding one game in hand).

Wed. Jan. 18 (7:00pm vs. St. Marys Lincolns)
Sun. Jan. 22 (7:30pm @ Chatham Maroons)

London Devilettes at IIHF Women’s U18 World Championships

With a dominant 10-0 win over host Sweden in the championship game Sunday, Team Canada — and the five local London Devilettes players on the roster — earned the gold medal at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Östersund, Sweden.

Keira Hurry (2) and Emma Pais picked up assists in the gold medal win, capping off a strong tournament for all five Devilettes players, including Canada’s captain, Jocelyn Amos, as well as Abby Stonehouse and Shelby Laidlaw. (Canada's Team Physician, Londoner Dr. Wanda Millard, has also returned home with a gold medal).

Pais tallied seven points in five games (and was named a top 3 player for Canada by the IIHF), while Stonehouse had four points and Hurry three. Sunday’s win, which followed a hard-fought 3-2 overtime win over Finland Saturday in the semis, marked the first time since 2013-14 that Canada has won back-to-back gold medals at the U18 event.