Knights take 2-0 series lead; Lightning clinch first

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Apr. 24-30) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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London Knights

The Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference Final series against the Sarnia Sting last weekend, putting them in good shape heading on the road.

The Knights opened the OHL semi-final series Friday night with a 4-1 victory. After getting into penalty trouble in the first, the Knights trailed 1-0 to start the second. But the team turned it around quickly, with Sean McGurn tying the game and then Sam Dickinson scoring the eventual game-winner on the powerplay. The offense didn’t stop there, as Easton Cowan added an insurance goal in the third and Ryan Winterton notched an empty netter. London goaltender Brett Brochu stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced.

The Knights followed Game 1 with another strong contest in Game 2 Sunday, coming away with a 3-1 win to take a 2-0 lead in the series. After two scoreless periods, Easton Cowan opened the scoring at the 2:21 mark of the third (assist to Ryan Winterton). The Sting answered back 10 minutes later, but Logan Mailloux restored the lead with a power play goal (the game winner). After picking up his second assist of the game, Winterton then added an empty netter for the second straight game to close the door on the Sting.

It wasn’t all good news on Sunday, as Knights star goalie Brett Brochu left the game in the second period due to injury. It appeared the netminder twisted his knee awkwardly. He was able to leave the ice on his own, but the 20-year-old was visibly upset when being tended to by a trainer. He has been listed as day-to-day with a ‘lower body injury,’ but no specifics on the injury (or the severity) had been released by the team heading into Tuesday’s Game 3.

Up next:

Now 10-1 in the 2023 postseason, the Knights will head to Sarnia this week with a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Final series. Games 3 and 4 go back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday. If necessary, the teams will return for a Game 5 Friday in London (and a Game 6 Sunday).

OHL Playoffs (Conference Final) - London Knights (2) vs. Sarnia Sting (3) (London leads 2-0)
Game 1: London 4 vs. Sarnia 1
Game 2: London 3 vs. Sarnia 1
Game 3: Tues. May 2 (7:05pm @ Sarnia Sting)
Game 4: Wed. May 3 (7:05pm @ Sarnia Sting)
Game 5: Fri. May 5 (7:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting) (if necessary)
Game 6: Sun. May 7 (2:05pm @ Sarnia Sting) (if necessary)
Game 7: Mon. May 8 (7:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting) (if necessary)

London Lightning

The Lightning clinched first place last week by winning a pair of games against the KW Titans — both on the road.

On Wednesday, London won a nailbiter, 91-90, capped off by Marcus Ottey’s game-winning three-pointer with 3.1 seconds left in the contest. After a very slow start, scoring just 16 points in the first quarter, the Lightning bounced back in the second and took a 45-41 lead into the halftime. At the end of a closely contested second half, the Lightning found themselves down 90-88 with mere seconds left. After a missed layup by Terry Thomas, Mike Nuga recovered the rebound and found Ottey, who hit the big three-pointer with 3 seconds left. After a timeout, London’s defense prevented the Titans from scoring on the final possession of the game.

Thomas was named the player of the game with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Nuga had 19 points and 9 rebounds, while Ottey had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Jermaine Haley Jr. scored 16 on 7-of-10 shooting.

And then the Lightning clinched first place in the NBLC standings on Sunday, guaranteeing them home court advantage in the playoffs. Back at The Auditorium in Kitchener, London won 90-77 to improve to 23-6 on the year. But it required a comeback. Down by 10 at halftime, the Lightning came out strong in the third, scoring 34 points in the frame (they’d scored just 33 in the first half) while holding the Titans to 16. London finished strong in the final quarter to earn top spot in the regular season.

Haley Jr. tallied 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Nuga had 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Diego Kapelan hit for 14 points. Ottey also scored in double digits (10), while Jeremiah Mordi had 10 rebounds, in addition to 7 points and 5 assists.

Up next:

The Lightning wrap up their regular season schedule in Sudbury on Tuesday, though it will be an anticlimactic contest. While it had been possible Tuesday night’s game would decide first place in the standings between the two teams, the Five dropped three games in a week and a half to open the door for London to grab top spot.

Tues. May 2 (7:00pm @ Sudbury Five)

The Lightning will then embark on their 2023 playoff journey, taking on the KW Titans in a semi-final series (best-of-five) beginning this Saturday (May 6) at Budweiser Gardens.

FC London

After opening the season with a win, FC London’s Women’s team was shut out on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Alliance United FC, to give them an even 1-1 record early in the season. After a scoreless first half, the Alliance United offense broke through, scoring twice in a three-minute span to win the game.

On the men’s side, FC London suffered its second loss of the season last Thursday, dropping a 2-0 match to a strong Guelph United side. Guelph scored their first goal in the 34th minute and took a 1-0 lead into the half. London fought hard to find the scoresheet, but they were unable to answer. Guelph United doubled their lead in the 2nd half and completed the shutout victory.

Up next:

Both teams play on the road again this week, before playing their first home games the following weej. Up first …

Women: Wed. May 3 (8:30pm @ Tecumseh FC)

Men: Sat. May 6 (8:00pm @ North Toronto Nitros)