American foes ahead as Knights eye Windsor above

Knight Watch: Trio of American opponents this weekend, beginning Friday vs. Saginaw; Defensemen continue to score; Knights loving shootouts; Brochu/Bowen top goaltending duo? Columnist Jake Jeffrey has all the latest …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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A pair of shootout wins in Eastern Ontario have the Knights back in business as they get ready to face three American teams this weekend.

George Diaco has basically been automatic in shootouts this season, and he was successful in both of his attempts last weekend, while both Zach Bowen and Brett Brochu were solid in net. Brochu has stopped nine of 11 attempts in shootouts, while Bowen has stopped eight of 11, helping the Knights to a perfect 5-0 shootout record this season.

In their lone loss last week (Thursday), London came across a hot goaltender in Peterborough, as former Junior Knight Michael Simpson blanked the green and gold for his league-leading third shutout of the season.

This weekend London will host Saginaw Friday, travel to Erie Saturday, and host Flint in a rare Monday night game (the make-up date from their postponed game in December).

It’s the start of a busy month for the Knights, who will play 13 games in February. That includes a stretch of six games in a nine days, as well as a three-game weekend over three nights at the end of the month. Zach Bowen has won nine straight starts, so look for him to continue to get more minutes considering London’s busy schedule. (In Brett Brochu’s rookie season as a 17-year-old, he won 13 straight games).

Owen Sound is London’s biggest threat for top spot in the Midwest Division, as they’ve won four straight games since London’s lopsided 9-1 win two weeks ago. Six points separate the two teams heading into this weekend, and they play each other just once more this season.

Looking up in the standings, Windsor sits three points up on the Knights after their win Thursday over the Soo. The Knights and Spits will play each other four more times, including a home-and-home in the final weekend of the season which could very likely decide top spot in the standings.

George Diaco, who has dominated in shootouts this season, leads the Knights in overall scoring with 20 goals and 53 points heading into weekend action. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Feb. 3, 7:00pm) vs. Saginaw Spirit (25-18-2-0, 3rd in West)

The Spirit are a much different team than the one that last visited Budweiser Gardens in October. With their sights set on a big year next season, they traded the league's top scoring defensemen to Ottawa, and parted ways with their captain as well. They did pick up Strathroy’s Hunter Haight from Barrie, and the Minnesota Wild prospect has nine goals and 26 points in 21 games since joining Saginaw. Also keep an eye out for rookies Michael Misa and Zayne Parekh. Misa has four goals in three games against London this season. The Spirit went 1-10 in January. They beat Flint earlier this week to snap an eight-game losing skid.

Saturday (Feb. 4, 7:00pm) @ Erie Otters (16-24-1-4, 5th in Midwest)

For two teams heading in opposite directions, the Otters have played London quite well this season, splitting the season series with two wins apiece. Sean McGurn and George Diaco have both recorded six points against the Otters this season. Erie comes into the weekend in last place in the Western Conference, although they’ve won two of their last three games. Spencer Sova has scored 14 goals this season (three have come against the Knights). Former second overall pick Pano Fimis has three goals in his last seven games. He was acquired from Niagara at the trade deadline.

Monday (Feb. 6, 7:00pm) vs. Flint Firebirds (22-22-2-1, 4th in West)

The Firebirds have lost three straight as they look to settle the ship before they slip too far down the conference standings. They are currently tied for sixth spot with the Guelph Storm. Expect plenty of offense in this one. The Firebirds have scored the second most goals in the Western Conference — and they’ve also allowed the second most. An interesting fact about Flint: they’ve allowed 10 shorthanded goals this season, but they’ve also scored 11 times while shorthanded themselves.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Michael Simpson made 35 saves as he shut out his hometown team in Peterborough’s 3-0 win over London last Thursday. That gave him the OHL lead with his third shutout of the season.

Zander Veccia, a former Elgin-Middlesex Canuck, is on a six-game point streak with six goals and 12 points for the Mississauga Steelheads.

Jordan D’Intino scored twice in Sault Ste. Marie’s loss to Windsor Sunday, giving the former London Junior Knight 18 goals on the season.

Ryan Roobroeck of the London Junior Knights was highlighted by the OHL as a player to watch ahead of this year’s draft. He’ll likely be the first local name to be selected.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

4 - Denver Barkey has recorded an assist in each of his last four games, also picking up a pair of goals during that span.

4 - George Diaco was successful in both of his shootout attempts last weekend, giving him four shootout goals in five opportunities this season.

5 - London is a perfect 5-0 in shootouts this season. No team has won more than three games that went to a shootout this season.

20 - Of London’s 24 remaining games, 20 are against Western Conference foes.

39 - Of London’s 167 goals this season, 39 have been scored by defensemen. That's 23.4 percent of the team’s goals coming from blueliners.

AROUND THE OHL

The Sarnia Sting have won five straight, climbing to fourth in the Western Conference Standings.

Jacob Oster posted back-to-back shutouts for the Oshawa Generals, helping him earn OHL Goaltender of the Week honours.

Former London Knight Sahil Panwar was named OHL Player of the Week. He had four goals and nine assists in three games for the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The OHL announced its top performers for January, and Owen Sound’s Colby Barlow was the Player of the Month. He posted 14 goals and 20 points in a dozen games. Barrie’s Brandt Clarke was the top defencemen. He had 10 goals and 20 points in 10 games since joining the Colts following a gold medal win with Canada at the World Juniors.

Goaltender of the Month honours went to North Bay’s Domenic DiVincentiis, who won seven of his eight starts, helping the Battalion keep top spot in the Central Division. Windsor’s Liam Greentree was Top Rookie. He had 10 goals and 16 points in 12 games in January.