Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (July 4-10) — for London’s teams and athletes.

Isaiah George was the top London Knight chosen in the NHL Draft (98th overall), while a trio of local players were also selected. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography)

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London Majors

It was a tough week in the win-loss column for the Majors, who dropped three of four contests — including an extra-inning affair Sunday night against the Welland Jackfish, who reclaimed top spot in the IBL standings over the weekend. Things started off well, with a lopsided 16-1 win over the Brantford Red Sox on the road Wednesday. A three-run first inning was highlighted by a two-run homer by Starling Joseph. Starter Daniel Gore got off to a rough start, allowing three walks and a run in the first inning, but he settled down very well, eventually logging 9 strikeouts in his 6 innings of work. Austin Wilkie, Dan Perrier and Jakob Newton also homered for the Majors, who put up 8 runs in the seventh inning.

Friday night offered up a tough 13-10 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Labatt Park. Pedro De Los Santos struggled on the mound, although errors by London’s defense didn’t help. In all, the left-hander gave up 10 runs (4 earned) on eight hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. Despite falling behind 4-0 in the top of the first, the Majors came right back, scoring twice in the bottom half and then putting up a six-run third inning. Back-to-back homers from Robert Mullen and Joseph tied the game, and a Newton triple put them ahead. But it was the fifth inning that did in the Majors, who entered the frame with an 8-5 lead before Toronto put up eight runs in the inning. Wilkie finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored, while Newton was 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBIs. Braeden Ferrington worked 4 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

The next night, it was a heartbreaking loss in Guelph for the Majors, who fell 5-4 at Hastings Stadium. Both teams enjoyed four-run innings, and things remained tied 4-4 from the third inning onward until the Royals won it in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the ninth. Fernando Fernandez took the loss, while starter Owen Boon had a line of four earned runs on eight hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out nine. London’s offense managed just six hits on the night, with Joseph picking up two of them. Mullen (2), Cleveland Brownlee and Newton drove in the Majors’ runs.

The Majors suffered another tough loss on Sunday night, losing 9-5 to the visiting Welland Jackfish. London built a 2-0 lead in the second inning thanks to RBIs from Newton and Perrier. Ahead 3-1 after five, the Majors allowed a single run in both the eighth and ninth innings, which sent the game into extra innings. Welland put up a big six-run inning in the top of the 10th, and it was too much to overcome. Despite scoring a pair in the bottom half, London was dealt a 9-5 loss. Ace Jose Arias turned in another solid outing, allowing just an unearned run on five hits in six innings. He walked three and struck out 10.

Up next:

The Majors (16-8), two games back of Welland in the IBL standings, will look to snap their three-game losing streak Friday at home vs. Kitchener. They’ll also play Hamilton at home Saturday, and get a rematch against Toronto Sunday.

Fri. July 15 (7:35pm vs. Kitchener Panthers)
Sat. July 16 (7:35pm vs. Hamilton Cardinals)
Sun. July 17 (2:00pm @ Toronto Maple Leafs)

FC London

Women’s team:

The Women’s continued to find success Sunday, recording their 12th win of the season — this time with a 1-0 win over St. Catharines Roma. FC London struck early, with Chelsea Zavitz scoring the team’s lone goal in the 2nd minute. From there, the team’s defense took over, holding off St. Catharines for the entire match to secure the shutout victory, which allowed them to retain top spot in the League1 standings.

Up next:

The women (12-2-2, 38 points), who sit one point ahead of the National Development Centre - Ontario (NDC-Ontario) and two points up on Vaughan Azzurri (who have a game in hand), have a big week ahead. They’ll play two tough teams — including the league’s second-place squad.

Wed. July 13 (9:00pm @ North Toronto Nitros)
Fri. July 15 (9:00pm @ NDC-Ontario)

Men’s team

The Men’s team suffered a tough defeat Saturday at home, falling 6-2 to ProStars FC (8-5-1) at the Hellenic Community Centre. Down 2-0 early, Mike Sneddon brought the home side within a goal in the 36th minute. The celebration was short-lived, though, as ProStars FC responded a minute later to restore their 2-goal lead, and then added a 4th goal in the 42nd minute. FC London’s other goal, scored when trailing 6-1, was delivered by Kuhle Bekwayo.

Up next:

The men (2-9-3) are back in action Tuesday on the road against the Woodbridge Strikers (5-7-1), and then they’ll host Master’s FA (1-8-5) on Saturday.

Tue. July 12 (8:00pm @ Woodbridge Strikers)
Sat. July 16 (7:00pm vs. Master’s FA)

NHL Draft

The 2022 NHL Draft was held Thursday and Friday, and a trio of London Knights — and a few local players — were selected during the process. Defenceman Isaiah George was the top London Knight to go, as he was chosen with the first pick in the 4th Round (98th overall) by the New York Islanders. Landon Sim was selected in the 6th Round (184th overall) by the St. Louis Blues, while Jackson Edward was taken in the 7th Round (200th overall) by the Boston Bruins).

(Frank Nazar III, a Knights draft pick currently committed to the University of Michigan, was selected 13th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks).

Meanwhile, local players Hunter Haight, Christian Kyrou and Bryce McConnell-Barker were also chosen by NHL clubs. Haight (Barrie Colts), a former Elgin-Middlesex Canuck, went in the 2nd Round (47th overall) to the Minnesota Wild; Kyrou (Erie Otters) went 50th overall to the Dallas Stars; and McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds) was chosen with the 97th pick (3rd Round) by the New York Rangers.