Knight Watch

It’s 3 games in 3 days for the Knights starting Friday, including a pair against the Kitchener Rangers. Columnist Jake Jeffrey gets you ready for a busy hockey weekend ahead.

Antonio Stranges has come to life. The talented left-winger, who posted four straight multi-point games, was recently named OHL Player of the Week. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Knights are looking to get back in the win column as they head into a busy weekend. 

Following a pair of impressive offensive showings in victories over the Erie Otters and Soo Greyhounds, London dropped a 4-2 decision in Sarnia Tuesday night.

Things are about to get very busy for the London Knights, with 13 games over the next month, which — believe it or not — will bring us to the holiday break. 

The Knights will play three games in three nights on five different occasions this season, and the first will happen this weekend. London’s first trip this season to The Aud in Kitchener Sunday will be preceded by a pair of home games — against the Sting (Friday) and Rangers (Saturday).

The Knights have beaten Sarnia on two occasions already this season, but the Sting has proved to be a tough opponent, as witnessed during Tuesday’s loss and a game earlier this year when Sarnia took London into overtime. For London and Kitchener, this weekend’s contests will be the first of 10 meetings this season between the Midwest Division rivals.

Captain Luke Evangelista returned to the Knights’ lineup last weekend and continued his impressive point streak. With 12 goals and 19 points overall thus far, he's found the score sheet in every game he's played this season.

When it comes to Antonio Stranges, It wasn't a matter of if, but when he would catch fire.

The Dallas Stars prospect has four consecutive multi-point games, and he’s the reigning OHL Player of the Week, with three goals and seven points over his last three contests. 

Brody Crane, who scored his first OHL goal last Friday against the Soo, had a three-point game Saturday in Erie, including two more goals. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Nov. 19) vs. Sarnia Sting (5-6-2-0)

The Knights dropped their first game against the Sting this season Tuesday night after San Jose Sharks prospect Benjamin Gaudreau stopped 36 saves for Sarnia. Rookie Max Namestnikov is starting to find his stride offensively. He has points in six straight games. Nolan DeGurse has two goals in three games since rejoining the Sting. He was released by Sarnia earlier in the season but was called up earlier this month after lighting up the Maritime Junior Hockey League.

Saturday (Nov. 20) at home, Sunday (Nov. 21) away vs. Kitchener Rangers (8-7-0-0, prior to their game Friday)

After winning their first five games to start the season, the Rangers had dropped seven of eight games before victories over Flint and Saginaw last weekend. Overage defenseman Arber Xhekaj returned to the lineup following a lengthy suspension and had two goals and four points in the pair of wins. Kitchener's powerplay is looking for a spark, as their seven goals with the man advantage is fourth-lowest in the OHL.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

George Diaco (graduate of the London Nationals and London Jr. Knights) has points in his last four games, with six goals and 16 points for the Hamilton Bulldogs this season.

Dorchester's Brett Harrison had his seven-game point streak snapped (a stretch in which he had seven goals and 12 points), but the Oshawa Generals’ forward had a goal and an assist in his next game against Ottawa to kickstart a new streak.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

Brody Crane and Denver Barkey both registered their first OHL goals last weekend, and the pair had memorable nights in Erie Saturday, connecting on a couple of nice goals and enjoying multi-point efforts in the win.

Another new face made his green and gold debut this week, as Oliver Bonk played his first OHL game against Sarnia on Tuesday. He is playing for the GOJHL’s St. Thomas Stars this season. Easton Cowan, who plays with the Komoka Kings, registered his first OHL assist in the win. Bonk and Cowan will be joining Knights forward Denver Barkey at Hockey Canada's Capital City Challenge later this month.

Of London's 55 goals this season, only one has been scored by a defenseman (Gerard Keane).

Rookie Isaiah George may still be searching for his first goal, but his play in his own end has been impressive. His plus-12 rating is second highest among OHL defensemen.