Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Nov. 7-13) — for London’s teams and athletes.

Ryan Roobroeck, projected by many to be the No. 1 pick in next spring’s OHL Draft, has made his junior hockey debut with the London Nationals, where he scored his first goal in his first game. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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London Knights

The Knights ran the table, winning all three of their games last week. It started with a 5-4 overtime win over the Barrie Colts on Friday. George Diaco scored the icebreaker in the first, and then Brody Crane doubled London’s lead early in the second. But the Colts responded. They scored three unanswered goals to take a one-goal lead into the third period. The teams traded goals in the 3rd, with Ruslan Gazizov and Crane both scoring to force overtime. The extra frame was short-lived with Landon Sim scoring the game-winner just before the three-minute mark.

After a close game Friday night, the Knights won easily on Saturday, beating the Windsor Spitfires 6-1. The Knights got off to a strong start in the first, scoring three times in the period. Diaco scored the icebreaker for the second straight day, with Crane and Sean McGurn extending the lead. The Knights didn’t let up in the second and they took a 5-0 lead before the Spitfires scored their only goal of the game. Crane, who was named OHL Player of the Week, then restored the five-goal lead late in the second and the 6-1 score held for the remainder of the game.

The Knights’ success continued Sunday, their third game in three days, as the team beat the Soo Greyhounds 4-2 at Budweiser Gardens. After a scoreless first, the Greyhounds took a 1-0 lead early in the second. Denver Barkey tied the game late in the period with his 4th of the year. The Greyhounds took the lead once again early in the third, but the Knights responded with three unanswered goals to win the game. Logan Mailloux tied the game again on the powerplay with Easton Cowan scoring the game-winner and McGurn adding an insurance goal.

Up next:

The Knights (9-6-1-0), now winners of nine of their last 12 games, have moved into second place in the OHL’s Midwest Division with their strong weekend. They have another busy weekend ahead with a trio of games — including a home-and-home against the Flint Firebirds.

Fri. Nov. 18 (7:00pm vs. Flint Firebirds)
Sat. Nov. 19 (7:00pm @ Flint Firebirds)
Sun. Nov. 20 (2:07pm @ Soo Greyhounds)

Western Mustangs

The Mustangs are Yates Cup champions. They accomplished the feat Saturday with a 44-16 win over the Queen’s Gaels. Once again, the Mustangs got off to a slow start with their first touchdown not coming until the second quarter. Leading just 13-7 at the break, the Western offense took over in the second half, including scoring 17 points in the third quarter to take a commanding lead.

Quarterback Evan Hillock was 10 for 14 on pass attempts with 222 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Keon Edwards had a bigtime game, rushing for 260 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Keanu Yazbeck, serving as the secondary back Saturday, logged 76 yards on seven carries and ran in a pair of touchdowns. Hillock’s TD passes went to Savaughn Magnaye-Jones, Seth Robertson and Griffin Campbell.

The Mustangs’ victory secured their second Yates Cup victory in as many years — both against Queen’s. Keon Edwards was named Finals MVP after the game (earlier in the week, he’d been named OUA MVP for his big season). Western’s next challenge will now be a matchup against the Laval Rouge et Or with a trip to the Vanier Cup on the line.

Up next:

The Mustangs (10-0 overall, ranked #1 in the country) will now host the Laval Rouge et Or (ranked #2) in the Mitchell Bowl at Western Alumni Stadium. The winner of that game will advance to the Vanier Cup, to be held in London for the first time (Nov. 26). The other semi-final features St. FX and the University of Saskatchewan.

Sat. Nov. 19 (3:07pm vs. Laval Rouge et Or) (Mitchell Bowl - national semi-final)

London Nationals

The Nationals split their two games last week. It started on a rough note, with London losing 7-1 to the St. Marys Lincolns on Wednesday. Down 2-0 after the first, Rylan Bowers scored London’s only goal of the game. The Lincolns responded with five unanswered goals of their own to put the game out of reach.

The Nats fared better on Saturday, as they beat the Komoka Kings 5-2. Up 1-0 after the first, thanks to a Sam O’Reilly goal, Brayden Thompson then extended the team's lead to two early in the first before the Kings replied with a goal. The Nationals got it back shortly after, though, with Riley Wood scoring on the powerplay to make it 3-1. O’Reilly then scored his second of the game to extend London’s lead once again. The Kings came within a pair, but Bowers restored London’s lead and secured the win.

Up next:

The Nationals (15-3-1-1) remain in top spot in the Western Conference, although their lead has shrunk to three points heading into a new week (ahead of both Leamington and St. Marys). They get a pair this week, including Chatham at home.

Wed. Nov. 16 (7:00pm vs. Chatham Maroons)
Fri. Nov. 18 (7:30pm @ St. Thomas Stars)