Can Knights pull away in West this weekend?

Knight Watch: London coming off overtime split; Medvedev a top 3 OHL goalie on leaderboard; Brzustewicz playing with confidence; Up next: Owen Sound at home, Niagara, Oshawa on the road …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Knights claimed five out of a possible six points during a busy three-game weekend, and they have another full schedule this weekend.

The Knights came from behind to beat Brampton Friday, in overtime, but had their comeback bid spoiled against Kitchener on Sunday (this time, an overtime loss). London gave up three first-period goals and needed a late third period marker from Landon Sim to even things up before the Rangers eventually took the extra point in extra time.

That victory helped Kitchener join the Windsor Spitfires as the only teams to beat London more than once this season. It was also the first loss on home ice for the Knights since early December, a stretch of 14 straight home wins.

The team that beat London back in December was the Oshawa Generals, and they’re one of London’s opponents this weekend — and the only team the Knights have yet to beat this season. London hosts Owen Sound Friday for their final meeting with the Attack, before hitting the road for games in Niagara Saturday and Oshawa Sunday.

“It’s another busy one, so you have to be smart, make sure your body gets rest between those games,” Knights defenseman Henry Brzustewicz told Gameday London. 

Brzustewicz has nine goals and 35 points, both career highs for the second-year defenseman. He’s been a big part of London’s blueline, which has been one of the best in the OHL this season. Eligible for this year’s NHL draft, he says that after learning a lot his first season, and getting adjusted to the league, he’s been able to take his game to the next level.

“My confidence has grown a lot this year, and that helps me feel more comfortable making plays,” he said. “We really like our group back there, we have a really good D corps, and it’s been fun playing and learning from everyone.”

After Friday’s game against Owen Sound, the Knights will have four straight against Eastern Conference opponents. They’ve matched up well against the other side so far with a 14-2 record against teams in the east.

Some Knights commitment news: Evan Van Gorp has announced his NCAA commitment to the University of Maine for the 2027-28 season. The Watford forward has 16 goals and 35 points this year.

Defenseman Henry Brzustewicz. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Feb. 28, 7:00pm) vs. Owen Sound Attack (21-30-4-3, 8th in Western Conference)

The Knights have dominated the season series against the Attack, winning all five games — although three of those games needed overtime or a shootout to decide. A win this week helped propel Owen Sound into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The last time the Attack failed to make the playoffs was 2010. They’re currently tied with Sarnia for the eighth position, but they hold the tiebreak over the Sting. The Soo Greyhounds are just two points up. Second in team scoring, first-year forward Pierce Mbuyi leads all rookies with 25 goals this year — 14 of which have come in his last 14 games. Captain Landen Hookey has had a breakout season offensively, leading the team with 30 goals and 63 points. Carter George (Los Angeles Kings) is one of the OHL’s top goalies and has started all five games against London. That will likely be the case again Friday. Remarkably enough, he also has a goal and three assists this season. He’s truly trying to do it all for the Attack.

Saturday (March 1, 7:00pm) @ Niagara IceDogs (27-23-3-4, 6th in Eastern Conference)

After one of their hottest starts in franchise history, the IceDogs have been trending in the wrong direction with 11 straight losses — and just one win in their last 15 games. Former London Junior Knight Ryan Roobroeck leads the team in scoring despite not being eligible for the NHL draft until 2026. He’s currently without a point in four straight games. Prior to that, he hadn’t been held off the scoresheet in back-to-back games all season. Captain Kevin He has just one goal in his last 14 games but is still contributing on offence with seven assists over his last seven games. Former Knight Blake Arrowsmith has six goals and 14 points since joining the IceDogs in a trade earlier this season.

Knights rookie goalie Aleksei Medvedev is third in the OHL in both goals-against average and save percentage heading into action the weekend of Feb. 28-March 2. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

Sunday (March 2, 6:05pm) @ Oshawa Generals (36-17-3-2, 3rd in Eastern Conference)

The Generals are the only OHL team London has yet to beat this season. They lost the only other meeting between the two teams, 5-3, back in early December. Oshawa is also the last team to beat London in regulation at Canada Life Place. In the history of the OHL, no teams have played each other in back-to-back championship series, but there is potential for that this season with these two teams. The Knights have the OHL’s best record, while the Generals are tied for most points in the Eastern Conference. There is plenty of firepower in the Gens’ lineup with four first-round NHL draft picks. Beckett Sennecke (Anaheim Ducks) has 36 goals and 81 points this season and is currently riding a nine-game point streak. Callum Ritchie (Colorado Avalanche) has 65 points, while Colby Barlow (Winnipeg Jets) is closing in on his fourth 30-goal season. Of Barlow’s 145 career regular season goals, 13 have come against the London Knights. Luca Marrelli (Columbus Blue Jackets) is one of the league’s premier offensive defensemen with 17 goals and 65 points this year. 

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

14 - Sunday’s overtime loss to Kitchener brought an end to London’s 14-game winning streak on home ice, a streak that spanned nearly three months.

2 - With a pair of Eastern Conference foes this weekend, the Knights only have a pair of losses against the other conference this season, losing to Brampton on Oct. 5, and Oshawa on Dec. 6.

9 - Sunday was the ninth time the Knights required overtime this season, but it was only their second time coming out on the losing end. They have four overtime wins, three shootout victories, and a pair of overtime losses.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

- Aylmer’s Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers) has three goals in his last five games, giving the sophomore defenseman 13 goals this season.

- St. Thomas native Parker Vaughan (North Bay Battalion) has points in his last three games, giving him eight goals and 16 points during his first season in the OHL.

AROUND THE OHL

- Another hat trick for Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs), his seventh of the season, helped him build on his league- leading goal total. The Chicago Blackhawks prospect has a CHL-best 63 goals in 56 games.

- Eight OHL alumni helped lead Canada to a win over the United States at the 4 Nations Face-off, including Londoner Drew Doughty, and former London Knight Mitch Marner.