Mustangs Yates Cup-bound; Knights take two; Devilettes in action

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

Daniel Kubongo returns a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in Western’s 47-20 win over Queen’s Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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London Knights

The Knights had a strong week, winning two of their three games — in three days — over the weekend. Things got off to a good start Friday, with London beating the Brantford Bulldogs 3-2 in overtime at Budweiser Gardens. Denver Barkey opened the scoring for the Knights with a shorthanded goal at the 9:26 mark of the first period. Brantford scored the only goal of the second period, and then took a lead halfway through the third. But London’s William Nicholl tied the game two minutes later with his second goal of the season to force overtime. And, four minutes into the extra frame, Max McCue delivered the winner for the Knights.

London’s second game of the weekend was a road matchup against the Owen Sound Attack Saturday, and the Knights won that one 3-2 again. Denver Barkey opened the scoring for the second straight game. The Attack punched back in the second period, scoring twice to take the lead. Easton Cowan tied things for the Knights in the third, and then, in the final minute of the game, Sam O’Reilly won it for London on a goal assisted by Oliver Bonk.

Playing their third game in three days, the Knights lost 4-2 to the Kitchener Rangers back at Bud Gardens on Sunday. Down 2-1 late in the first, Kasper Halttunen got the Knights on the board (assists to Easton Cowan and Denver Barkey). London allowed a shorthanded goal just 20 seconds into the second period, though, to go back down by two. Cowan scored an unassisted goal midway through the second, but that’s as close as the Knights would come, as Kitchener added a fourth goal late in the period. Neither team scored in the third and Kitchener took home the victory. 

Up next:

It’ll be another three-game week for the Knights, who are now in the midst of a stretch where they’ll play 12 games in 23 days. Two home games lie ahead this weekend.

Thurs. Nov. 9 (7:05pm @ Windsor Spitfires)
Fri. Nov. 10 (7:00pm @ Owen Sound Attack)
Sat. Nov. 11 (7:00pm vs. Guelph Storm)

Western Mustangs Football

The Mustangs are headed to the Yates Cup. Despite missing their top two running backs, Keon Edwards (2022 OUA MVP) and Keanu Yazbeck, due to injury, Western outplayed the Queen’s Gaels Saturday — and by the end, they won by a very convincing score of 47-20 in their OUA semi-final.

Western opened the scoring on a field goal by Brian Garrity. Queen’s responded late in the quarter with a bigtime play, an 86-yard defensive touchdown on a rare Evan Hillock interception. But on the very next play, Daniel Kubongo returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and a 10-7 Western lead.

The Gaels took the lead back in the second quarter, but the Mustangs responded late. Hillock connected with Seth Robertson for 57 yards over two plays to score the touchdown and help Western take a 19-17 lead into halftime.

And then it was all Mustangs in the second half, as they put up 28 points to just a field goal against. Savaughn Magnaye-Jones recorded a touchdown catch, as both he and Robertson eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the day. Two late rushing touchdowns blew the game open for Western, who improved to a perfect 9-0 on the season.

Up next:

In a much-anticipated rematch, the Mustangs (9-0) will now host the Laurier Golden Hawks (9-1) in the Yates Cup provincial championship game this weekend. The two teams played a close contest in the final game of the regular season — also at Western Alumni Stadium.

Sat. Nov. 11 (1:00pm vs. Laurier Golden Hawks) (Yates Cup)

London Devilettes

The season is well underway for the London Jr. Devilettes, who have competed in league play and tournaments, as well as exhibition contests in the U.S.

In league play (OWHL U22 Elite) thus far, the Devilettes are an even 4-4 through their first eight contests, including a recent high-scoring 8-5 win over the Gloucester Cumberland East Ottawa Stars last Friday. In that contest, London trailed 3-2 after two periods but scored an impressive six goals — on 10 shots — in the third period for the win. Goal scorers were Ali Altiman, Lerissa Stevenson, Grace McLean, Kyla Rumford, Zoe Wilson and Mya Farr.

Their most recent game was a 4-2 loss to the North York Storm on Saturday. Tied 2-2 after two periods, the Storm notched a powerplay goal in the third that stood as the winner (and they added an empty netter late). Altiman and Aviah Bramer scored for London, while Stevenson and Calla Woodcroft picked up assists.

On the season so far, Altiman leads the team in scoring with four goals and six points in eight games. Woodcroft has tallied five points, while Stevenson, Rumford and Estelle LeBeau each have four points. Wilson and Alexia Hill’s three goals apiece are tied for second most on the team.

Up next:

The Devilettes have a trio of road games before they’ll return home for four straight to close out November (Nov. 17, 18, 24, 25).

Fri. Nov. 10 (8:30pm @ Oakville Hornets)
Sat. Nov. 11 (11:00am @ Ridley College)
Wed. Nov. 15 (8:00pm @ Waterloo Ravens)