Can anyone slow surging Knights?

Knight Watch: Three months of dominance; Medvedev stymies Windsor, plays in Prospects Game; It’s a weekend at home — Friday vs. Guelph, Sunday vs. Sudbury …

Aleksei Medvedev, part of an all-star tandem in the Knights’ net, played in the OHL Top Prospects Game this week. He’s among the league leaders with a 2.56 GAA (4th) and .921 SV% (3rd). (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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It was a big test — and they passed it with flying colours.

In the battle of the OHL’s top two teams last Friday, the London Knights outlasted Windsor, handily, 5-1.

A pair of second period goals from Blake Montgomery had London ahead 2-1 through two periods, before they opened things up with three goals in just under three minutes in the final frame.

Montgomery followed that up with another two goals in Saturday’s win over Owen Sound. With 11 goals in his last 10 games, the forward says he’s really starting to feel comfortable in the league. 

“It was a whole different feel coming from the USHL, a lot more skill in this league and everyone is a bit more technically sound with systems,” Montgomery told Gameday London. “I just had to get used to playing a little differently, getting my timing right and figuring out my teammates a bit.”

The Ottawa Senators prospect came to the Knights following a decision from the NCAA that would allow CHLers to maintain their college eligibility. Committed to play at the University of Wisconsin next season, Montgomery says that the ruling gave him the green light to come to London. Here, he says he’s been blown away by the support right from his very first game.

“It looked like a green screen looking out at the crowd. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people at a junior hockey game,” he said.

Blake Montgomery has really heated up, scoring 11 goals in his last 10 games. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

Windsor leads the OHL in scoring this season, but the Knights held them to just a single goal despite allowing 41 shots against. Aleksei Medvedev was tremendous in net, making a career high 40 saves in the win, including all 16 shots he faced in the third period.

Medvedev played in the OHL’s Top Prospect Game in Brantford Wednesday night, alongside teammate Hunter Brzustewicz.

Denver Barkey had his fifth straight multi-point effort. He has six goals and 18 points over his last five games. Away from the rink, he’s been helping collect equipment for young hockey players through his Barkey’s Buds program. 

Logan Hawery made quite the impact in his first game with the GOJHL’s St. Thomas Stars, scoring four goals including the overtime winner. Hawery will still be available for the Knights as a call-up as he finishes the season with St. Thomas.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Jan. 17, 7:00pm) vs. Guelph Storm (13-22-4-1, 9th in Western Conference)

Jett Luchanko returns to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension. By far the Storm’s best player, he has four assists in two games against London this season. Guelph is currently outside the playoff picture, two points back of the final playoff spot. Lev Katzin has yet to play against the Knights this season. He has 24 points in 16 games since joining the Storm at the beginning of December, and he’s been named the OHL Rookie of the Week twice since coming to the league. Max Namestnikov had a four-goal game against London earlier this season in a contest that saw the two teams combine for 15 goals. Londoner Parker Snelgrove has six points over his last nine games.

Sunday (Jan. 19, 2:00pm) vs. Sudbury Wolves (22-12-5-0, 4th in Eastern Conference)

The Wolves added Calgary Flames prospect Henry Mews from the Ottawa 67’s at the trade deadline. He’s one of the league’s top offensive defensemen. Quentin Musty also returned to the lineup in a big way, scoring twice and recording five points in a 10-6 win over Kingston last Sunday after missing a month and a half due to injury. The San Jose Sharks first rounder has 25 points through a dozen games this season. The towering Kieron Walton leads the team with 26 goals and 69 points. The 6-foot-6 winger is a prospect of the Winnipeg Jets.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

3 - In their last 31 games, the Knights have lost just three times — with one of those coming in overtime. That’s good for a 28-2-1-0 record over the last three months.

3 - In London’s last six victories, Blake Montgomery has scored the game winning goal three times.

17 - Austin Elliott only needed to make 17 saves to help the Knights beat Owen Sound on Saturday, earning his 17th win in his 17th game with the Knights.

105 - The Knights have allowed an OHL-low 105 goals against this season. They were the only team to allow fewer than 200 goals last season.

4 - A quartet of London Knights were highlighted in NHL Central Scouting’s midseason rankings. Henry Brzustewicz is the 19th ranked North American skater, while Noah Read ranked 187th and Evan Van Gorp was 215th. Aleksei Medvedev is the second ranked North American Goalie.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

- St. Thomas’ Parker Vaughan (North Bay Battalion) made an immediate impact with his new team, scoring a goal and adding an assist in his Battalion debut.

- Aylmer’s Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers) was the Player of the Game for the Western Conference, recording three assists at the OHL Top Prospect game in Brantford Wednesday night. Komoka’s Matthew Koprowski (Owen Sound Attack) played in net for the second half of the game, while Aiden Young (Peterborough Petes) had two assists.

 - Carson Harmer (Saginaw Spirit), from nearby Mitchell, was added to the Western Conference roster for the Top Prospects game.

AROUND THE OHL

- The OHL has approved the transfer of ownership of the Brantford Bulldogs to a group led by NHLer Zach Hyman and his family. The new owners have signed a 15-year agreement that will keep the team in Brantford for the foreseeable future.

- The London Knights remain the top team in the weekly OHL Power Rankings, marking their 10th straight week atop the list. Windsor, Kitchener, Oshawa and Niagara round out the top five.

- The Eastern Conference beat the West in the inaugural OHL Top Prospects game, winning 5-4 in overtime.

- The Erie Otters officially retired Connor McDavid’s number 97. McDavid scored 285 points over three seasons with the Otters.

- There was a scary moment for former Knight Noah Jenken, who was taken to hospital on a stretcher during a game between Guelph and Flint last week. He was released from hospital a day later and is recovering at home.