Knight Watch: London looking to right ship — against top opponent

The Knights have dropped three straight, and they’re now tasked with facing the Conference’s top team — the Flint Firebirds — this weekend. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has all the latest news, notes and numbers.

With Brett Brochu injured, backup Owen Flores (pictured) has been tasked with starting duties — with local netminder Owen Willmore stepping into a backup role. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Knights have lost three straight games for the second time this season. Fittingly enough, that last slump was snapped with a win over the Flint Firebirds, the team the Knights just happen to be playing Friday.

A big question mark for London right now is the status of goaltender Brett Brochu, who needed to be helped off the ice Tuesday night and did not play Wednesday. Reportedly, the injury is not as serious as it first appeared, but there’s been no word on whether or not Brochu will be good to go in any of the games this weekend.

The Knights turned to ‘The Owens’ Wednesday night, with Owen Flores getting the start and newly signed Owen Willmore (a Londoner) making his OHL debut in relief.

Despite early season success, the Knights have been stumped by both Kitchener and Sarnia as of late. The Rangers have won three straight over London after the Knights took the first five matchups, while the Sting have won five in a row over London after the Knights took the first two.

London still has a healthy lead in the Midwest Division, nine points up on Guelph entering action Friday. But they’re currently jostling with Flint, Windsor, and the Soo for top spot in the conference (Flint currently holds the top spot).

Knights defenceman Connor Federkow will miss the next three games. He was suspended after receiving a cross checking major in Wednesday’s loss to Sarnia — one of several penalties handed out in that one, as the game got out of reach and tempers flared. Sarnia’s Ryder McIntyre received a minimum two-game suspension for his role in the late game antics.

In other OHL news, this week the league announced that Flint Firebirds President of Hockey Operations, Terry Christensen, has been expelled from the league for conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the League.

Knights left-winger Max McCue has 6 points in his last 5 games. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (March 11, 7:30pm) vs. Flint Firebirds (33-16-1-3)

Although their winning percentages are identical (.660), the Firebirds sit four points up on London for top spot in the Western Conference. With 18 wins in their last 24 games, the Firebirds have been one of the league’s hottest teams since the start of 2022. The Firebirds are fairly deep, especially upfront, led by Brennan Othmann, who has 75 points in 51 games. Flint has also been one of the OHL’s toughest road teams to play against, with a 21-6-1-2 record away from home.

Sunday (March 13, 2:05pm) @ Sarnia Sting (22-23-3-1)

Sarnia secured another win over their 402 rivals earlier this week, and considering how things ended Wednesday night, there could be another penalty-filled contest Sunday. Ryder McIntyre received a minimum two-game suspension for his role in the late game antics Wednesday night. Ty Voit scored a hat trick in that game, giving the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect 5 goals and 11 points in 7 games against London this year. Theo Hill also had a pair of goals in the win. He has 11 points over his last 4 games.

Monday (March 14, 7:00pm) vs. Saginaw Spirit (17-33-1-0)

With just one win in their last 11 games, Saginaw continues to slip further from playoff contention (they now sit neck-and-neck with Niagara for last place). The Spirit have been outscored 22-8 in their last four losses. Most of the team’s offence comes through Josh Bloom, while goaltender Tristan Lennox is more than capable of stealing a game in net.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Lucan’s Navrin Mutter signed an NHL Entry Level Contract with the Nashville Predators. A longtime member of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Mutter was traded to the Kitchener Rangers at the trade deadline.

A pair of Londoners on the Soo Greyhounds deserve to be highlighted, as Bryce McConnell-Barker has goals in back-to-back games, giving him 16 on the season, while Jordan D’Intino has points in three straight games, scoring in two of those contests. 

Owen Willmore, a St. Thomas native who was drafted by the Knights in the 14th round of the 2020 draft, made his OHL debut for the Knights Wednesday.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

Playing in his fourth career game, defenseman Oliver Bonk picked up his first OHL point in London’s loss to Sarnia on Wednesday.

Despite having eight goals in his last eight games, Luke Evangelista has fallen slightly behind the goal-per-game pace, sitting with an impressive 44 goals in 46 games. The last Knight to score 50 was Christian Dvorak in the 2015-16 season.

With 631 penalty minutes this season, the Knights are the second highest penalized team in the OHL.