Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Nov. 14-20) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Bruce Laing).

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Western Mustangs

The Mustangs’ 2022 season came to an unfortunate end Saturday, as the visiting Laval Rouge et Or came out on top, 27-20, in the Mitchell Bowl at Western Alumni Stadium in a close, hard-fought national semi-final.

In the first matchup between the two teams since the 2018 Vanier Cup, it was the Mustangs who got off to a strong start, scoring 17 first-quarter points to capture the early momentum. Western took advantage of a few disastrous Laval possessions, in which the Rouge et Or botched two snaps that resulted in turnovers — and points. The first led to a 36-yard touchdown pass from Evan Hillock to Savaughn Magnaye-Jones to open the Mitchell Bowl scoring. A field goal later, Lourenz Bowers-Kane recovered a fumble and ran it into the endzone to put the Mustangs ahead 17-0. It was 17-4 at halftime.

But Laval mounted a comeback. The spark, perhaps, was a faked field goal attempt roughly midway through the 3rd quarter that resulted in a first down — and, shortly after, a 2-yard touchdown run by David Dallaire that made it 17-11. Less than five minutes later, the Rouge et Or drove found the endzone again and took their first lead of the game, 18-17.

The Mustangs re-took the lead, 20-18, early in the fourth quarter, but Laval controlled the remainder of the game. A trio of field goals — and a strong defensive effort — led the visitors to the win, disappointing the Mustang faithful who were hoping the team would get the opportunity to defend their Vanier Cup title from a year ago on home turf this weekend. Alas, it wasn’t to be.

Keon Edwards, as usual the focal point of the Western offense, rushed for 127 yards on 26 carries. Hillock finished 17-for-31 for 189 yards and that first-quarter touchdown pass. The Vanier Cup, which will feature Laval (ranked No. 2 in the country) and the University of Saskatchewan (No. 4), will take place this Saturday, Nov. 26 (1:00pm) at Western Alumni Stadium.

London Knights

The Knights enjoyed another strong week, winning two of three and climbing to within three points (with a game in hand) of Owen Sound for top spot in the Midwest Division entering a new week. London opened things with a tough 6-4 loss to the Flint Firebirds Friday. The game was close over the first two periods, and the Knights led 3-2 heading into the third. But the visiting Firebirds outscored the home side 4-1 in the final frame to win the game. Logan Mailloux, Landon Sim, Isaiah George and Sean McGurn scored London’s goals.

The Knights got their revenge Saturday, flipping the script and beating the Firebirds 7-4 in the finale of the home-and-home series. McGurn scored the icebreaker in the first, though the Firebirds responded shortly after. After a low-scoring first period, London’s offense broke out in the second, scoring four times in the frame. George Diaco got the ball rolling scoring at the 1:29 mark and Max McCue extended the lead before the Firebirds responded. The Knights’ Sim restored the two-goal lead late in the period, and then Oliver Bonk scored the eventual game-winner in the final minute. McCue and Ethan MacKinnon scored insurance goals in the third.

The Knights’ third game of the week was a lot closer, with the team coming away with a 4-3 win in a shootout against the Soo Greyhounds. After falling behind 1-0 early, Denver Barkey tied the game, and then Mailloux scored late in the period to give London the lead. Both teams scored in the second, and then the Greyhounds tied the game in the third and held on to force overtime — and an eventual shootout. Oliver Bonk scored in the fifth round of the shootout, and goaltender Brett Brochu followed with a stop to secure the win for London.

Up next:

After two straight three-game weekends, the Knights (11-7-1-0), who sit in sixth place in the Western Conference entering a new week, will play just a pair of games this week, both on the road.

Fri. Nov. 25 (7:30pm @ Kitchener Rangers)
Sun. Nov. 27 (6:05pm @ Oshawa Generals)

London Nationals

The Nationals won both their games last week, and it started with a 3-2 win over the Chatham Maroons on Wednesday. Brayden Thompson got the team off to a strong start in the first with his 6th goal of the year. The Maroons tied the game with the only goal of the second period. They also scored in the third, but London scored twice in the final period, with Owen McGowan and Jacob Julien (game-winner) leading the Nationals to the win.

On Friday, London made the trip to St. Thomas and beat the Stars 6-4. Finding themselves down 4-2 early in the third, the Nats rallied to score four unanswered goals to win the game. After scoring his 4th of the year in the second, Bradyn Santavy got the offense going in the third. Talan Palmer tied the game shortly after, with Nolan Milne scoring the game-winner and Thompson adding an insurance goal in the final minute of play.

Up next:

The Nationals (17-3-1-1) remain in top spot in the Western Conference, although a hot St. Marys Lincolns team is just one point behind (London has one game in hand). The Nats will play a pair this week, including their usual home date Wednesday.

Wed. Nov. 23 (7:00pm vs. Strathroy Rockets)
Sat. Nov. 26 (7:15pm @ Komoka Kings)