Knight Watch

Coming off two straight losses, the Knights face two new opponents this weekend. What’s in store? Columnist Jake Jeffrey has the news, analysis and numbers.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

The London Knights’ season-opening winning streak is over, but the team’s tendency to find itself in one-goal hockey games continues …

After a win over Owen Sound last Friday, a loss to Flint Saturday, and an overtime loss to Guelph on Tuesday, the Knights have now played in eight games — out of their 11 in total — that have been decided by a single goal. And by looking at their next opponent, another close game could very well be in the works. 

The Soo Greyhounds are just a single point behind London for top spot in the league. They’ve scored a league-best 65 goals, and they’re by far the biggest offensive threat the Knights have faced this year (at the same time, the team’s 52 goals against is also among the OHL’s highest).

It will be a different story in Erie on Saturday night, where London will face a team that has struggled so far this season. But they’ve played the bulk of their early season schedule on the road. They’ve also made a coaching change this week. A home contest and a restart could make for a tough two points on the road for the Knights this weekend.

Talk about a heavy workload for Brett Brochu … he’s played all 675 minutes in goal so far this season, second-most in the OHL. He’s certainly had the hot hand, but there’s a good chance Mathias Onuska, who played a pair of games for London in the 2019-20 season, will finally see action this weekend.

Captain Luke Evangelista could return to the lineup after missing the past two games due to illness. In the three games prior to his absence, he scored six goals.

Ruslan Gazizov (0-4--4) may be searching for his first OHL goal, but the new addition has found the score sheet in each of his first three games.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Nov. 12) vs. Soo Greyhounds (9-5-0-0)

The winner of this game will be the first to reach 10 wins on the season, and Friday’s contest could prove to be London's toughest test so far. Few teams have been as busy as the Greyhounds in the early going, and no team has scored more goals. The Greyhounds have been led by Rory Kerins (9-14--23), Tye Kartye (13-8--21), Cole MacKay (7-12--19), and Tanner Dickinson (4-15-19) up front, while Londoner Bryce McConnell-Barker (8-3--11) has four goals in his last two games.

Saturday (Nov. 13) @ Erie Otters (3-7-1-0)

The Knights are winless in their only stateside trip this season (at Flint last Saturday), and they’ll look to reverse their fortunes in Erie. The Otters, meanwhile, have made a change behind the bench, as Associate Coach, B.J. Adams, will take over from Chris Hartsburg, who was fired by the team on Thursday. 

Erie has had a slow start to the season and is searching for their first victory on home ice since they won their home opener. Elias Coehn leads them in scoring with six goals and 11 points.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

The Soo Greyhounds could have a pair of Londoners in the lineup when they visit Budweiser Gardens Friday night. Bryce McConnell-Barker leads all rookies with eight goals through his first 14 games. The fourth overall pick in the 2020 OHL draft is coming off back-to-back two-goal games against Guelph. London could also see Jordan D’Intino, who is fresh off scoring his first OHL goal last week Guelph. He’s a graduate of the Junior Knights program.

In Erie Saturday, keep an eye out for Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs alum Christian Kyrou, who has five assists in 11 games with the Otters this season.

Looking around the rest of the league, local player Brady Stonehouse recently scored his first OHL goal with the Ottawa 67’s.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

In Tuesday's game against Guelph, Cody Morgan skated in his 200th OHL game, while Easton Cowan played in his first. Morgan has points in all but two of his games this season, and he’s been London’s best option in the faceoff circle, winning 65 percent of his draws.

Freshmen forwards Liam Gilmartin and Denver Barkey became the latest Knights to score their first OHL goals, doing so in the same game (last Saturday’s loss in Flint).

Coming into this weekend, the Knights still possess the league's most efficient powerplay at 32.4 percent, slightly ahead of the Soo’s 31.8 percent efficiency.