Nationals in tough; Knights destiny in own hands

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (March 13-19) — for London’s teams and athletes.

The London Nationals lost three straight last week to fall behind 3-0 in their 2nd round playoff series against the St. Marys Lincolns. They’ll need a big comeback to advance. (Photo: Bruce Laing).

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London Knights

The Knights endured another tough week, as they lost two of their three games and remained in second spot in the Western Conference (with three games remaining in the regular season). The week began with a 7-4 loss to the Guelph Storm on Wednesday. Although London found themselves behind 4-0 in the second period, they responded mightily, scoring four times to even the score. Connor Federkow struck first, followed by Isaiah George, Ryan Winterton and Sean McGurn (the latter two scoring power-play goals 32 seconds apart). Alas, the Storm responded in the final minute of the second period to regain the lead — and then added two unanswered in the third.

The Knights fared much better on Friday night, beating the Kingston Frontenacs 6-3 at Budweiser Gardens. Though they were down 2-0 after the first period, London exploded for five unanswered goals in the second. Sean McGurn got the offense going with a short-handed goal at the 5:33 mark. Ryan Winterton tied the game with his own short-handed marker, and then scored again to put London ahead. Logan Mailloux scored what turned out to be the game-winner, and then Winterton completed the hat-trick on the powerplay. Brody Crane added an insurance goal in the third.

After a big win Friday, the Knights lost 4-3 to the Flint Firebirds on Saturday. Sean McGurn opened the scoring early in the first with his 27th goal of the season. The Firebirds responded with two of their own to take the lead, but the Knights fought back in the second period, with Max McCue and Sam Dickinson both scoring to put London ahead. But the Knights’ 3-2 lead was vanquished in the third, as Flint put up two goals to win the game.

Up next:

The Knights (43-20-2-0) now hold their playoff fortunes in their own hands. Of their final three regular season games, two of them will come against the Windsor Spitfires this weekend (a home-and-home series Friday and Saturday). If London wins both, they’ll have a good shot at finishing first in the Western Conference. If they don’t, they’ll likely finish second — and face a tougher road in the playoffs.

Fri. Mar. 24 (7:00pm vs. Windsor Spitfires)
Sat. Mar. 25 (7:05pm @ Windsor Spitfires)
Sun. Mar. 26 (6:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)

London Nationals

The Nationals are at risk of being swept in their 2nd round playoff series after they lost a trio of games last week to the St. Marys Lincolns. The No. 2-seeded Nats dropped Game 1 at home, 3-1, to the Lincolns (No. 3). After a scoreless first period, St. Marys took a 1-0 lead in the second. The Nationals responded less than three minutes later, but Lucas Carson’s goal turned out to be the lone score for London on the night. With the game tied 1-1, St. Marys scored two unanswered goals in the third period to win the game.

Friday’s game in St. Marys was a close contest, but the Nationals dropped their second game in a row, this time by a 3-2 margin. Down 1-0 late in the first, Sam O’Reilly scored with a second left in the period to tie the game. After a scoreless second, the Lincolns came out strong in the third and scored twice to win the game. O’Reilly scored his second of the game late in the period, but the Nats came up short.

Down 2-0 in the series, the Nationals then lost another close one on Saturday, 2-1, on home ice. With neither team scoring in the first, the Nationals took the lead in the second thanks to an Owen McGowan power play goal. St. Marys responded late in the period to tie the game — and then added another goal in the third to win the game.

Up next:

The Nationals, now on the brink of elimination, will need to win four straight games this week if they want to advance to the Western Conference final. It’s a long shot, but London’s not out yet. They’re back on the ice Tuesday on the road. If the series goes the full seven games, the final contest will be hosted by the Nationals on Saturday night.

GOJHL Playoffs (2nd Round) - London Nationals (2) vs. St. Marys Lincolns (3) (St. Marys leads 3-0)
Game 1: London 1 vs. St. Marys 3
Game 2: London 2 @ St. Marys 3
Game 3: London 1 vs. St. Marys 2
Game 4: Tues. March 21 (7:30pm @ St. Marys Lincolns)
Game 5: Wed. March 22 (7:30pm vs. St. Marys Lincolns) (if necessary)
Game 6: Fri. March 24 (7:30pm @ St. Marys Lincolns) (if necessary)
Game 7: Sat. March 25 (7:00pm vs. St. Marys Lincolns) (if necessary)

London Lightning

The Lightning’s struggles continued last week, as the team lost two of their three games, making them 1-3 in their last four. They started the week with a 113-102 loss to the Sudbury Five on Wednesday at Budweiser Gardens. Down 52-41 at the half, the Lightning were outplayed for most of the game, with their largest deficit extending to 19 points. Marcus Ottey led the way offensively for London, in a losing effort, with 23 points. He added nine rebounds. Jordan Burns tallied 20 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Mareik Isom had 16 points.

The following night, having lost two in a row, the Lightning managed to come away with a win Thursday in a rematch from the previous Sunday’s loss to the KW Titans. This time it was an 89-82 decision in London’s favour — though it wasn’t the prettiest of wins. The Lightning blew a 16-point lead and needed some clutch buckets late to come away with a win. Mike Nuga, who, along with Jordan Burns, were the difference-makers at the end of the game, was a bright spot, scoring 20 points with 9 rebounds. Burns had 23 points, 10 assists, and 3 steals. Marcus Ottey was solid again, tallying 15 points and 8 rebounds.

In an entertaining affair Sunday in Sudbury, the Lightning came out on the wrong end of a 116-109 decision to the hometown Five. In a showdown of the top two NBLC teams, it was Sudbury who moved into first place, with a 15-4 record (London is now 14-5). Despite the Lightning shooting a mind-boggling 73% (19-for-26) from three-point range(!) in the first half, Sudbury only trailed by 10 at the half. And keeping it from being a blowout early allowed the Five to come back in the second half, where they dominated most of the play. Jordan Burns led London with 31 points and 4 assists. Both Mareik Isom and Terry Thomas scored 17 points, while Amir Williams, making his first appearance with the Lightning this season, had 15 points.

Up next:

The Lightning (14-5) return home this week for a pair of games against The Basketball League (TBL) opponents. In fact, it’ll be their first action against American foes this season. Through their first five TBL games, the Kokomo Bobkats were 4-1, while the Jamestown Jackals were 1-4.

Thurs. March 23 (7:30pm vs. Kokomo Bobkats)
Sat. March 25 (7:30pm vs. Jamestown Jackals)

London Majors

The World Baseball Classic is all the rave, and Spring Training is well underway, meaning it can’t be too long before the ‘Boys of Summer,’ the London Majors, return for another season. In fact, they’re just eight weeks away from Opening Day, when they’ll take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 14.

And it’s no regular return. For the first time since 1947-48(!), the Majors will open the year as two-time defending Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) champions. It won’t be easy to win a third in a row, and just like they experienced in 2022, the Majors will see some significant roster turnover this season.

Who are the signings so far? As far as returnees go, Starling Joseph will be back as an import outfielder. This past week, pitcher Owen Boon re-signed with the team, giving London a proven top starting pitcher (they’re hoping to roster two import starters). Reliever Braeden Ferrington, shortstop Keith Kandel, outfielder Drew Lawrence and pitcher Pedro De Los Santos are also back for 2023.

Some new signings? Infielder Tommy Reyes-Cruz (Montreal, QC); Pitcher Skylar Janisse (Maidstone, ON); Pitcher Cam O’Reilly (Moose Jaw, SK); Infielder Brett Graham (Burlington, ON); First baseman Kayne McGee (Almonte, ON); Pitcher Wyatt Hummel (Edmonton, AB); Outfielder Will Pollard (London, ON); and Infielder Daniel Battel (London, ON).

Stay tuned for more signings in the weeks ahead.