Knights return, look to move up in standings

Knight Watch: They won 5 of 6 before the holiday break. Can London carry that momentum into 2nd half? Ruslan Gazizov, Max McCue are stepping up in big way. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has the latest Knights news & notes …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Knights, back from their holiday break, get back into the swing of things with a trio of West Division matchups this weekend.

First up is a home-and-home series with Sarnia. And then it’ll be a contest against the Flint Firebirds New Year’s Eve at Budweiser Gardens. The Knights enter the unofficial second half of the season having won five of their last six games, and they’re tied for third in the Western Conference, trailing the Midwest Division-leading Kitchener Rangers by nine points.

The team remains without Easton Cowan, Oliver Bonk and Kasper Halttunen, who are away at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden.

Forward Max McCue, who has goals in seven straight contests, says the rest of the group has been stepping up.

“It’s the next man up mentality. We’re showing the depth of our team right now,” McCue said. “Everyone is stepping up and finding a role, just finding ways to get wins.”

McCue’s seven straight games with a goal is tied for the longest scoring streak in the OHL. But he says, although his teammates won’t let him forget about it, he’s trying not to get too caught up in it.

“Sometimes, you get some good puck luck. I’m not thinking too much about it, just trying to go out there and do what I can to contribute,” he said.

“I’ve never gone seven games in a row with a goal ... maybe against my brother at mini sticks, that’s about it.”

London has been able to hang their hat on their special teams, as they have the second-best powerplay unit in the league — and the sixth-best penalty kill, which has scored 10 shorthanded goals this season.

Ruslan Gazizov, another Knight who has stepped up recently, was recognized for his strong play before the break by being named OHL Player of the Week after tallying three goals and 11 points over a three-game span.

Knights forward Ruslan Gazizov is the reigning OHL Player of the Week. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Thursday (Dec. 28, 7:05pm) @ Sarnia Sting, Friday (Dec. 29, 7:00pm) vs. Sarnia Sting (12-19-1-0, 4th in West Division)

Defenseman Jacob LeBlanc leads the Sting in scoring with 33 points. Sarnia will be without one of their top offensive weapons, as Sandis Vilmanis skates with Latvia at the World Juniors, while centre Roman Kukumberg is skating with Slovakia. Tyson Doucette and Zach Filak both have a dozen goals to lead the team. This will be the third and fourth time these teams face off this season. So far, the home team has been victorious both times. The Knights’ Denver Barkey had three goals and five points over those two games.

Sunday (Dec. 31, 4:00pm) vs. Flint Firebirds (13-16-2-1, 3rd in West Division)

The Firebirds were victorious in the first and only meeting this season between the two teams, a 7-4 triumph at Budweiser Gardens back on Nov. 17. Flint will be without high-scoring winger Gavin Hayes, as the Chicago Blackhawks prospect is with USA at the World Juniors. There’s still plenty of firepower for the birds. Coulson Pitre potted a hat-trick against London earlier this season, while Braeden Kessler had a goal and two assists.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

It was a big day for the Jenken family on Dec. 14. Noah Jenken made his OHL debut for the London Knights in Windsor, while his older brother, Matthew Jenken, had a goal and an assist in Flint’s loss to Saginaw.

Oshawa’s Dylan Roobroeck has two goals and six points during his current five-game point streak. The New York Rangers prospect has points in 13 of his last 14 contests.

Beckham Edwards, a Londoner currently playing for the Detroit Little Caesars 15U, will represent Canada at the Youth Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

38 - London’s World Junior trio of Easton Cowan, Oliver Bonk and Kasper Halttunen have combined to score 38 goals for the Knights this season.

7 - Forward Max McCue has goals in seven straight games.

14 - Ruslan Gazizov is on an absolute tear. He has three goals and 14 points over his last five games.

AROUND THE OHL

The Windsor Spitfires have hired former NHLer Kris Newbury as an assistant coach.

The Mississauga Steelheads acquired defenseman Reed Gee from the Flint Firebirds.

The OHL trade deadline is noon on Jan. 10, 2024. The holiday roster freeze has ended, although those playing at the World Juniors can’t be dealt until the tournament concludes.