Knight Watch: No easy wins down homestretch

Playing without injured goaltender Brett Brochu — and a pair of key defensemen — the Knights are being tested as they seek a top playoff seed this spring. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has the latest.

Sean McGurn, who scored the winner to snap London’s four-game losing streak, has six points in his last three games heading into Friday’s contest against Saginaw. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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London was able to end their season-high four-game losing streak with wins over Sarnia (last Sunday) and Saginaw (Monday) before dropping a Wednesday night matchup against the Guelph Storm in a shootout.

The trio of Luke Evangelista, Antonio Stranges, and Sean McGurn have been powering London's offense for most of the season, especially over the last two games where they’ve tallied a combined 19 points.

There is still no firm timeline for the return of goaltender Brett Brochu, he was ‘week-to-week’ at his last status update, and I don’t imagine the team will rush him back, but rather allow him to get healthy for a playoff run.

Much like when the team was without Evangelista, the Knights are a different monster without Brochu. In the five games without him, London has surrendered 25 goals against. That is no knock on the Owens (Flores and Willmore), who have very big skates to fill. Willmore has two wins in his first four OHL games (4.07 GAA), and he could very likely get another opportunity this weekend. Flores (4.27 GAA) has looked sharp at times, but again, big skates to fill.

London still sits eight points up on Guelph for the division lead, although Owen Sound has been making a late push with a point in 10 straight games, seven of those being wins. With 14 games left in the regular season, London still has a pair of meetings against both opponents, which will make for a fun finish.

The 50-goal milestone watch is on for captain Luke Evangelista, who sits at 47 goals heading into the weekend. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (March 18, 7:30pm) vs. Saginaw Spirit (18-36-1-0)

Full credit to the Spirit, who, despite sitting well back of a playoff spot, came into Budweiser Gardens last Monday and played London very tough (the Knights managed a 6-5 win). A similar effort on their end will make it a tough two points for the Knights Friday. Saginaw has scored 16 goals over their last four games, but only one of those was a win.

Sunday (March 20, 2:05pm) @ Sarnia Sting (24-25-3-1)

The Knights head to Sarnia for a second straight Sunday following a successful trip down the 402 last weekend. London scored twice in the final minute to snap their four-game losing streak and also put an end to a string of losses to the Sting as well. Sarnia is currently jostling with Erie and Kitchener for the final two playoff spots. Benjamin Gaudreau is the type of goalie that can steal a game — and even a series — so the Sting aren't a team I’d want to face in the first round of the playoffs.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Only two players scored during the OHL’s Outdoor Showcase at Hamilton’s Tim Horton’s Field, and Londoner George Diaco was one of them, finding the back of the net twice in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 win over Oshawa, their 12th in a row. He’s been having quite the season so far, scoring 20 goals for the first-place Bulldogs. 

Michael Simpson has been on an absolute tear of late for the Peterborough Petes, winning six of his last seven games in net. Most recently, he made 34 saves in a 3-1 win over Hamilton, putting an end to that aforementioned 12-game winning streak for the Bulldogs.

Hunter Haight hit 20 goals with the Barrie Colts. The Strathroy product reached the milestone with a goal against Mississauga last Saturday. His former teammate with the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, Zander Veccia, scored a goal for the Steelheads in that same game.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

In his first OHL start, Owen Willmore recorded his first OHL win against Sarnia. He followed that up with a win over Saginaw on Monday. With back-to-back victories under his belt, he will likely get another start this weekend.

Three is the magic number for Sean McGurn, who has three goals and three assists over his last three games.

Liam Gilmartin is riding a seven-game point streak, giving him 14 goals and 31 points on the season.

Luke Evangelista has back-to-back four-point games. He’s at a league-leading 47 goals in 50 games this season.