Gameday in 5
A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Jan. 2-8) — for London’s teams and athletes.
(Photo: Bruce Laing).
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The Knights enjoyed another week on the ice — although, at the conclusion of their busy four-game week they did have their nine-game win streak snapped.
London opened the week with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Guelph Storm on Tuesday. Down 2-0 to start the 3rd period, Sam Dickinson brought the Knights to within a goal, and then Ruslan Gazizov tied the game shortly thereafter. The extra frame was short-lived, with George Diaco scoring the game-winner at the 2-minute mark — assisted by Jackson Edward and Denver Barkey.
After a close game Tuesday, the Knights came out firing on Friday in beating the Hamilton Bulldogs 5-1. London took the lead in the first, with Sean McGurn scoring the icebreaker. Jacob Julien doubled the lead 3 minutes into the second period. The Bulldogs responded to make it 2-1, but that’s as close as they’d get, as it was all Knights after that. London scored three times in the third, with George Diaco and Ruslan Gazizov notching insurance goals and Denver Barkey potting an empty netter.
After holding Hamilton to a single goal on Friday, the Knights shut out the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday, winning 3-0 on the road. Following a scoreless first period, Logan Mailloux notched the first goal of the game in the second, a powerplay marker assisted by Oliver Bonk and newly-acquired Ryan Winterton. The score held at 1-0 until the final 2 minutes of play when the Spirit pulled their goalie and Ryan Humphrey and Winterton both scored empty net goals to secure the win.
After three successful wins, the Knights lost 6-3 to the Soo Greyhounds on Sunday, ending their nine-game winning streak. London did get off to a strong start, as Max McCue opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal. Oliver Bonk extended the lead to 2-0 late in the first but the Greyhounds responded 17 seconds later. With the Knights up 2-1 in the second, Mathieu Paris restored the team’s two-goal lead. Unfortunately for London, that was the last goal they’d score, while the Greyhounds went on to score five unanswered goals to come out on top.
Up next:
The Knights (26-9-1-0), despite losing their most recent game Sunday, have won 21 of their last 24 contests and sit in first place in the Western Conference, three points ahead of both Windsor and Saginaw. Following a packed four-game week, London has only two games on the schedule this week …
Fri. Jan. 13 (7:00pm vs. Guelph Storm)
Sun. Jan. 15 (2:00pm vs. Windsor Spitfires)
The roster continues to take shape for the London Lightning’s 2023 season, as the team added additional players last week in preparation for their training camp, which is now underway (London’s season tips off Jan. 19 vs. the Sudbury Five at Budweiser Gardens).
On Tuesday, the Lightning announced the signing of Canadian forward Justin Jackson. A former Denver Nuggets draft pick (43rd overall in 2018), his most recent action was with the Long Island Nets. Jackson played college basketball at the University of Maryland where he averaged 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
Shortly after, the Lightning announced the return of Chris Jones for the 2023 season. A veteran point guard, Jones averaged 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and a team-leading 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game with the Lightning last season. He was named to the NBLC’s All-Playoff Team for his efforts helping London win the 2022 championship.
The Lightning also added Ronnie Boyce III and re-signed Lance Adams (and former Bolt Otas Iyekekpolor).
The Nationals returned to action following the GOJHL’s holiday break, and they split their first two games back. Things opened with a 5-2 win over the Komoka Kings on Wednesday. Rylan Bowers gave London an early lead with a powerplay goal, and then with Riley Wood extended the lead in the final minutes of the frame. The Kings cut the lead in half 12 seconds into the second period, but Wood restored the Nats’ two-goal lead with a short-handed marker. The Kings responded with a short-hander of their own but they came up short, as Talan Palmer and Lucas Carson both scored in the 3rd period to secure the win for London.
The Nationals weren’t so successful on Friday, losing 6-3 to the St. Marys Lincolns. Bradyn Santavy got London off to a fast start, scoring 42 seconds into the game. St. Marys tied it on the powerplay, but Lucas Chard and Logan Pace-Roth both scored to put the Nationals ahead 3-1. The Lincolns scored late in the period to cut the lead to one, and then they scored twice in the second to take the lead. London allowed two more goals in the third, and the Nationals were unable to score again while taking the loss.
Up next:
The Nationals (25-6-2-1) continue to hold down top spot in the Western Conference entering action Tuesday, three points ahead of the Leamington Flyers. They get a pair of games this week (including a matchup against that Flyers squad) ...
Wed. Jan. 11 (7:00pm vs. Leamington Flyers)
Fri. Jan. 14 (7:30pm @ Strathroy Rockets)
London Devilettes at Women’s U18 World Championships
Team Canada’s U18 team got off to a fast start Sunday at the IIHF Women’s U18 World Championships in Sweden, winning their opening game, 8-0, over Team Finland.
Two of the five London Devilettes players on Canada’s roster scored goals in the contest (Abby Stonehouse and Keira Hurry), while Emma Pais and Stonehouse also recorded assists in the contest. On Monday, Canada won a closer contest, 4-2, against Sweden, with Pais scoring a goal and Stonehouse notching another assist.
The women have Tuesday off before taking on their rival, the United States, in preliminary play Wednesday. Depending on the outcome of that game, they’ll play a quarterfinal or semi-final next, on Thursday or Saturday. The tournament’s bronze and gold medal games are scheduled for Sunday.
There are some familiar faces, but there’s a sense of renewal in London as the Lightning embark on a new season. With a new coach and several new players, is a new era upon us? What to expect in 2024-25 …