It’s time: Knights, Rangers to battle for top spot

Knight Watch: It’s 1 vs. 2 this weekend in much-anticipated series between London and Kitchener; O’Reilly continues rookie magic; Knights still most penalized. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has the latest Knights news & notes …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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Make that a dozen straight wins — and counting — for the London Knights.

The red-hot Knights skated to lopsided victories over Sarnia, Saginaw, and Owen Sound last week to bring their impressive winning streak to 12. Friday’s victory may have been the most impressive, as the Spirit are one of the league’s most talented teams and London dominated pretty much from start to finish. 

Sunday’s 10-0 victory over Owen Sound was impressive, too, of course, although it’s worth mentioning the game was delayed an hour after the Attack had bus issues on their way to London. That likely contributed to Owen Sound’s slow start, which London took advantage of with five first-period goals.

And now, another big test lies ahead this weekend, as the Knights play a home-and-home with the first-place Kitchener Rangers. It’s a matchup between the top two teams in the league — in both points and winning percentage. 

Forward Sam O’Reilly had a career-high four assists in Sunday’s win. He leads all OHL freshmen with 40 points this season. With two big games this weekend, the rookie says it’s important to stick to what has made the team successful throughout their winning streak.

“We gotta just keep playing the same way we are right now, sticking to the systems and playing selfless hockey,” O’Reilly told Gameday London. “We know that a strong defence leads to offence, and that’s been working out for us as of late.”

O’Reilly has been a consistent producer for the Knights, something that isn’t overly common from first-year players. The forward has points in 13 of his last 14 games, with seven goals and 22 points over that span. 

“I’ve just been trying to make the most of when I’m out there. That starts with a good work ethic and working hard every shift, regardless of what role it is,” O’Reilly said. “A big thing with me is going to the net and playing in those dirty areas, and sometimes you get lucky with that and the points come your way.”

O’Reilly and teammate Sam Dickinson will both skate in the CHL Top Prospects Game next week.

Meanwhile, a pair of Knights were recognized by the league for their strong play last week. 

Oliver Bonk was named the OHL Player of the Week. The Philadelphia Flyers prospect tallied five goals and 11 points over three games, recording two game winners in the process. Michael Simpson, the OHL’s Goalie of the Week, certainly did his duty last weekend, stopping 58 of 59 shots in a pair of victories, while posting his second shutout of the season.

The London Knights announced this week that three new members will be joining the Don Brankley Hall Of Fame: Billy Carroll, Marc Methot and Jim McKellar. The trio will be honoured before London’s game against the Soo Greyhounds on Feb. 16.

Michael Simpson, who leads the league with 22 wins and a 2.58 goals-against average, is the reigning OHL Goaltender of the Week. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Jan. 19, 7:00pm, on road) & Saturday (Jan. 20, 4:00pm, at home) vs. Kitchener Rangers (30-11-2-0, 1st in Midwest)

The Rangers became the first team to hit 30 wins this week. They are three points up on London but have played two more games. There’s plenty of firepower on this Rangers team. Carson Rehkopf leads the OHL with 37 goals, while Hunter Brzustewicz, a defenceman, leads the league in scoring with 68 points. Kitchener has four players with 20 goals, and Filip Mesar will likely join that group sooner than later. He has 15 goals in just 23 games this season. Matthew Sop, another offensive weapon, leads all overagers with 26 goals and 63 points. Seattle Kraken first rounder Eduard Sale made his Kitchener debut this week. Keep an eye out for him as he gets settled with his new club. Kitchener also boasts pretty solid special teams, as well, with the fourth best powerplay and fifth best penalty kill unit in the league. The Rangers won the first and only matchup of the season thus far, a 4-2 decision back in early November.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Oshawa’s Dylan Roobroeck has points in five straight games, with three goals and eight points over that stretch. The New York Rangers prospect has 37 points this season.

Brodie McConnell-Barker scored his second goal of the season for the Soo Greyhounds.

Owen Van Steensel has points in eight straight for the North Bay Battalion. He’s third on the team in scoring with 44 points and is a goal away from 20 on the season.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

12 - The Knights have been getting off to great starts over their last three games, outscoring their opponents 12-0 in the opening frame.

11 - Easton Cowan has four goals and 11 points in the five games he’s played since returning from the World Juniors.

644 - The London Knights are the most penalized team in the OHL with 644 PIMS this season. Max McCue leads the team with 75 minutes in penalties.

12 - London’s 12-game winning streak is the longest of any team in the OHL this season. Saginaw won 10 straight back in November.

22 - Netminder Michael Simpson leads the OHL with 22 wins.

AROUND THE OHL

- Former OHLer Cody Hodgson is attempting a comeback. His hockey career was cut short with injuries, but after he was finally given a clean bill of health, the former Red Tilson winner joined the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals on a professional tryout.

- The Saginaw Spirit are set to retire Brandon Saad’s number 22 prior to a game next month. The two-time Stanley Cup Champion scored 131 points in 103 regular season games with the Spirit.

- The London Knights are one of three OHL teams in the CHL Top Ten Rankings: the Kitchener Rangers are fourth, the Saginaw Spirit sit in sixth, and the Knights have moved into seventh.

- The Knights moved into the top spot in the OHL Power Rankings, meanwhile, with Saginaw, Kitchener, North Bay and the Soo rounding out the top five.