Division foes all weekend for Knights

Knight Watch: London has recorded a point in 17 straight (15 wins, two SO losses); Simpson, Bonk earn monthly honours; Cowan riding point streak; 2000th franchise win. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has the latest Knights news & notes …

Michael Simpson was named the OHL’s Goaltender of the Month for January. In six games, the 20-year-old went 5-0-0-1 with a 1.32 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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Following a pair of shootout losses over the weekend, the London Knights got back into the win column Tuesday night by blanking the Kitchener Rangers, 4-0, at The Aud.

Owen Willmore turned aside 24 shots, including a highlight reel save in the first period, to record his first OHL shutout. It was London’s third win over the Rangers in 11 days, and helped them open up a five-point lead for top spot in the Midwest Division. 

London outplayed Peterborough and Erie on the weekend but dropped both games in a shootout, picking up consolation points to help them keep pace in a crowded Western Conference.

A busy stretch lies ahead for the Knights, who will play six games over 10 days, beginning Friday night (Feb. 2). Four of those games will be on the road. The busy stretch opens with three games in three days this weekend — all against divisional opponents. In fact, London is currently in a stretch where eight of nine games are against divisional foes.

The Knights have plenty of offensive depth, and it’s been on full display over the last few months. Currently, they have seven players who are currently above a point-per-game pace.

One of those players, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk, was named the OHL Defenceman of the Month, scoring 10 goals and 21 points in 10 January games. Michael Simpson was the OHL Goaltender of the Month, winning five of his six starts, including one shutout and a .950 save percentage.

The last time the Knights failed to record a point was Dec. 10 in Sault Ste. Marie. They’ve won 15 and lost a pair of shootouts since.

London leads the OHL in both goals for (218) and against (136). Of the goals they’ve scored this season, 136 have come at even strength, 62 on the powerplay, and 20 shorthanded — all of which lead the OHL.

Looking at the weekly rankings, the Knights slid down to 3rd in the OHL’s Power Rankings behind Saginaw and the Soo. In the CHL Top Ten Rankings, they slid one spot to 4th. Saginaw (3rd) and the Soo (9th) also cracked the list.

Easton Cowan has a 15-game point streak heading into action Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. During that span, he’s tallied 11 goals and 32 points. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Feb. 2, 7:00pm) vs. Erie Otters (22-19-4-0, 5th in Midwest)

The Otters have played the Knights tough this season, winning three of the four meetings so far. Erie has the second worst penalty kill in the OHL, but they’ve successfully killed off 15 of 18 powerplays against the Knights this season. Malcolm Spence has a goal and five assists against the Knights. He also scored the shootout winner last weekend in Erie. Rookie Charlie Burns was in net for that game, and he recorded his first OHL shutout this week against Guelph.

Saturday (Feb. 3, 7:00pm) @ Owen Sound Attack (23-20-3-1, 4th in Midwest)

The Attack have won back-to-back home games, scoring 14 goals in a pair of wins over Guelph and Barrie. Over their last five games, Colby Barlow has seven goals and 12 points, while Deni Goure has three goals and 10 points. There’s been strong special teams up in Owen Sound, as the Attack have the second best PP unit — and third best PK — in the OHL. London has won all four meetings this season, although two of those were come from behind wins where late goals either won the game or sent it to overtime. Servac Petrovsky has three goals in the season series, while London’s Max McCue and Denver Barkey have both scored four goals against the Attack this season.

Sunday (Feb. 4, 4:00pm) @ Guelph Storm (25-18-2-1, 3rd in Midwest)

The Storm have struggled a bit lately, with just four wins over their last 11 games. They’ve been dealing with injuries most of the season, and that continues with the injury to defenseman Michael Buchinger. Washington Capitals prospect Cam Allen has returned to the lineup, making his season debut last weekend. Londoner Jett Luchanko leads the Storm in scoring with 51 points — and he leads the entire OHL with 24 power play assists. London has won all three meetings over the Storm this season, outscoring them 13-3.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Soo Greyhounds captain Bryce McConnell-Barker returned to the lineup and recorded two goals and five points since his return, helping the Hounds to three straight wins.

North Bay’s Owen Van Steensel recorded his 13th multi-point game of the season. 

Jett Luchanko capped off a three-point night with the overtime winner as Guelph topped Sarnia 3-2 Sunday.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

2000 - Tuesday’s win over Kitchener was the 2000th victory in Knights franchise history.

82 - Of London’s 218 goals this season, 82 have come via special teams. London has scored 62 powerplay goals and 20 while shorthanded. 

26 - Kasper Halttunen and Oliver Bonk are leading the league in powerplay goals with 14 and 12, respectively.

15 - With an assist Tuesday night, Easton Cowan extended his point streak to 15 games. He has 11 goals and 32 points over that stretch.

AROUND THE OHL

The Mississauga Steelheads are on the move — but they won’t be going very far. The team will play out of Brampton starting next season. The distance between the Steelheads’ current rink, the Paramount Fine Foods Centre, and their new home, the CAA Centre, is less than seven kilometres.

Kitchener Rangers defenceman Hunter Brzustewicz has a new NHL home. His rights were traded from Vancouver to Calgary in a trade this week that saw the Canucks acquire Elias Lindholm.

The OHL announced its award winners for January: Player of the Month is Oshawa’s Calum Ritchie, London’s Oliver Bonk is the Defenceman of the Month, while Michael Simpson is the Goaltender of the Month. Barrie’s Riley Patterson is the top rookie for January.