Knight Watch: Back in win column, a pair of Midwest foes ahead

The London Knights snapped a 3-game losing streak Tuesday (after winning 21 of 23); Zach Bowen looks fantastic; The goalie joins Cowan, Bonk, Barkey on NHL Central Scouting’s midseason rankings. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has the latest …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The Knights got back into the win column in Kitchener on Tuesday this week, snapping a three-game losing skid. That’s their longest streak without a win since they dropped their first four games to start the season.

London gave up 16 goals over those three losses — more than they’d surrendered during their nine-game winning streak prior to the skid. In their 6-3 loss to Guelph last Friday, they squandered a third-period lead by giving up four goals in the final frame. That was just the third time this season London has lost a game they led through 40 minutes. They have successfully closed out 20 of those contests.

Sunday was a different story, as the Knights gave up two first-period goals and had to play catch up against the Spitfires the rest of the way. On a positive note, though, they did outshoot their opponents in all three of those losses, including a 41-23 advantage in their 4-1 loss to the Spits.

Windsor’s win helped them leapfrog London for top spot in the Western Conference, edging the Knights by a single point. Windsor then extended that lead to three points with a win over Erie Thursday night (they’ve now won five in a row).

London’s losses to Guelph and the Soo are a bit tougher to swallow, as both were winnable games against a pair of teams in 7th and 8th place, respectively (although, Guelph has been playing much better hockey as of late and the Soo have played London tough all year).

Zach Bowen was in net for Tuesday’s win, his eighth straight victory. Also Tuesday night, Easton Cowan had the first two-goal game of his OHL career. Both are getting attention from NHL scouts, as four Knights were named to the midseason NHL Central Scouting rankings, including Oliver Bonk (18th), Cowan (75th) and Denver Barkey (84). Bowen was ranked 29th among North American goaltenders.

It’s a pair of home games for London this weekend against a pair of divisional foes (Owen Sound and Kitchener) before the team hits the road and heads east with three games in three nights in Peterborough, Ottawa and Kingston. Those games against the Petes and 67’s will be ones to keep an eye on, as they’re matchups against two of the top teams in the OHL.

Former Knight Jonathan Gruden made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 16. He had 66 points for the Knights during the 2019-20 season.

Local Knight Easton Cowan (Mount Brydges, ON) was ranked 75th on NHL Central Scouting’s midseason rankings. The forward has 10 points in his last 12 games. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Jan. 20, 7:00pm) vs. Owen Sound Attack (21-14-4-1, 2nd in Midwest)

The Attack sit eight points back of London and are the Knights’ nearest division challenger. Owen Sound captain Colby Barlow is tied for the league lead with 30 goals, and he sits third in the OHL with 57 points. The draft eligible prospect has three goals in four games against London. The season series is split, with Owen Sound taking the first two games of the season, and London winning the two most recent games.

Sunday (Jan. 22, 2:00pm) vs. Kitchener Rangers (16-19-2-0, 4th in Midwest)

With just a pair of wins in their last 10 games, Kitchener is at risk of missing the playoffs. This, despite making a couple of big additions at the deadline. Currently in ninth place, the Rangers are five points back of both the Storm and Greyhounds — although they do have four games in hand. London has won both meetings with Kitchener this season, outscoring the Rangers 11-3. Kitchener is the least penalized team in the OHL with 384 minutes, 120 fewer than London.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Bryce McConnell-Barker is now 11th in OHL scoring. He has seven goals and 19 points in his last 11 games, giving him 51 points on the campaign.

Brett Harrison has four goals in his last three games. He picked up a goal and an assist in Windsor’s win over London on Sunday. The Boston Bruins prospect has five goals and 10 points in six games since joining the Spits.

Easton Cowan is currently 4th in rookie scoring with 26 points. His 11 goals are 6th among first-year players.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

1 - Goaltender Zach Bowen picked up his first OHL assist in Tuesday’s win over Kitchener. Brett Brochu also has one assist this season.

3 - Of Landon Sim’s ten goals this season, three have been game winners.

10 - The Knights have played in 13 one-goal games this season, and they’ve managed to win 10 of them.

504 - London is the third most penalized team this season behind Hamilton and Sudbury.

AROUND THE OHL

The Kingston Frontenacs honoured alumni Antony and Chris Stewart, raising the numbers 13 and 24 to the rafters. The brothers combined to play 435 games and tallied 437 points during their time with the Fronts.

Owen Sound’s Colby Barlow and Windsor’s Matthew Maggio are the OHL’s first two players to hit the 30-goal mark this season. Barlow’s 10-game point streak is the longest active streak in the OHL (he has 10 goals and 20 points during that stretch). He had an 11-game point streak back in November.

Hamilton’s Matteo Drobec was the OHL Goaltender of the Week, leading the Bulldogs to a pair of victories.