Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Sept. 26-Oct. 2) — for London’s teams and athletes.

The London Beefeaters won their final regular season contest Saturday, 31-7 over the Hamilton Hurricanes. They’ll host the Ottawa Sooners in an OFC semi-final game Oct. 15. (Photo: Joanna Kurowski).

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London Knights

The Knights opened their season Friday with a 5-3 loss to the Owen Sound Attack at Budweiser Gardens. Things got off to a good start, with London scoring just over 11 minutes into the contest, as Oliver Bonk took a pass from rookie Sam Dickinson and wristed a shot past Attack goalie Nick Chenard. The Knights took that 1-0 lead into the second period, but Owen Sound took over in that frame, scoring three unanswered goals while outshooting London 15-1 in the process.

The Attack added a fourth goal early in the third period before Knights defenseman Bryce Montgomery scored a powerplay marker to make it 4-2 (assists to Sean McGurn and rookie Ryan Del Monte). The Attack took advantage of the Knights’ empty net late in the game to go up 5-2. London managed a late goal (30 seconds remaining), with Easton Cowan finding the net (assists to Max McCue and Connor Federkow).

Up next:

The Knights will look to get in the win column this weekend with a pair of games, starting with another Friday night home contest.

Fri. Oct. 7 (7:00pm vs. Soo Greyhounds)
Sat. Oct. 8 (7:00pm @ Erie Otters)

Western Mustangs

The Mustangs continued to roll last weekend, this time beating the McMaster Marauders 47-14 on the road, improving their record to 5-0 on the season. Quarterback Evan Hillock put up a stellar performance behind centre, completing 21 of his 25 pass attempts for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Keon Edwards logged 107 yards on 16 carries and ran in a 1-yard touchdown (Edouard Wanadi also had a rushing TD), while wideout Griffin Campbell had four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown and Savaughn Magnaye-Jones hauled in six catches for 85 yards (Justin Nickson added a touchdown and 64 yards receiving).

After a slow start in the first quarter (just a safety and a 62-yard touchdown reception from Campbell), the Mustangs surged in the second, with Nickson, Edwards and Wanadi all notching touchdowns en route to a 33-0 halftime lead. Western cruised from there, with backup QB Jackson White running in a touchdown and Brian Garrity knocking through two more field goals in the second half (he had three on the day).

Up next:

Fri. Oct. 7 (7:00pm @ Toronto Varsity Blues)

London Nationals

The Nationals had an eventful week, winning their first two games and having their third suspended due to serious injury. London opened the week with a dominant 9-4 win over the Chatham Maroons at home on Wednesday. The Nationals put up three goals in the first period (Michael Kopcok, Rylan Bowers, Lucas Chard). The teams then traded two goals apiece, with Jacob Julien accounting for both London goals to bring his season total to six. The Nats and Maroons then combined for six goals in the third period (4-2 advantage for London), including Bowers’ second of the game as the Nats cruised to victory.

After a convincing win Wednesday, the Nationals took to the road and beat the St. Thomas Stars 5-3 on Friday. Jacob Julien put London ahead 1-0, while Sam O’Reilly added to the Nationals’ lead early in the second. The Stars answered back, though, with two goals of their own to tie the score early in the third. A little over a minute into the period, Riley Wood regained the lead for the Nationals, and then Bradyn Santavy scored the eventual game-winner shortly after.

On Sunday, the Nationals led the LaSalle Vipers 5-4 before the game was suspended due to a Nationals injury (with 2:16 remaining in the third period). London got off to another quick start with Riley Wood opening the scoring with his 7th goal of the season. From there, the teams traded goals and the score was knotted at 2-2 to start the second period. The Nats notched two power-play goals in that frame, courtesy Sam O’Reilly and Owen McGowan. The Vipers responded with two of their own to tie the game once again.

Jacob Julien put the Nationals ahead with a short-handed effort. Unfortunately, the game was never completed, as Michael Kopcok had to be stretchered off the ice after being hit from behind at the 12:28 mark. The game was ultimately suspended and Kopcok was transported to hospital. Fortunately, he was later released and was at home resting Monday. The game will be completed at a later date. LaSalle’s Ashton Anderson has received a two-game suspension for the hit (three others, including the Nats’ Brayden Thompson and head coach Dave Matsos, also received suspensions resulting from a fight at the end of the second period in that contest).

Up next:

Wed. Oct. 5 (7:00pm vs. Strathroy Rockets)
Thurs. Oct. 6 (7:10pm @ Leamington Flyers)

London Beefeaters

The Beefeaters were triumphant in their final regular season game Saturday, defeating the Hamilton Hurricanes 31-7 at City Wide Sports Park to improve their record to 6-2 and finish in second place in the OFC standings (trailing only the 8-0 St. Clair Saints).

London led 10-0 at the half and then, up 18-7 after three quarters, scored 13 in the fourth to run away with the win. It was their second victory over the Hurricanes (3-5) this season. With the win and their second-place finish, the Beefeaters will play the third-place Ottawa Sooners in two weeks in an OFC semi-final match. The other semi will feature St. Clair against Hamilton.

Up next:

The second-place Beefeaters (6-2) will take on the third-place Sooners (5-3) in an OFC semi-final Oct. 15 at Citywide Field in London.

Sat. Oct. 15 (5:00pm vs. Ottawa Sooners)