Knight Watch: Back at .500, London aims to make up Midwest ground

The schedule doesn’t get any easier, but that means Knights can continue climbing standings. They get Midwest foes Erie and Owen Sound this weekend. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has all the latest news & notes …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Knights have clawed their way back to .500 after winning two of three contests last weekend.

The team is still very much relying on George Diaco for offense, as the London native (acquired from Hamilton early in the season) has four goals and seven points during his current four-game point streak. However, consistent production is starting to come from elsewhere, with Sean McGurn and Denver Barkey both emerging as offensive catalysts.

The latter has a goal and five assists during his current five-game point streak, while McGurn has a pair of goals and four points over a four-game stretch. This trio account for the only Knights currently at a point-per-game pace or better through London’s first 11 games.

Barkey, London’s first round pick in 2021, has been enjoying a solid stretch away from the rink, too, as he earned the Midwest Division’s Academic Player of the Month for his work in the classroom at London’s Catholic Central High School.

The tests keep coming for the Knights, as they’ll face a pair of teams this weekend — Erie and Owen Sound — that they’re currently chasing in the division standings. Friday’s contest against Erie, at home at Budweiser Gardens, will be London’s first matchup against the Otters this season — and Erie is a team that’s off to a much better start than expected.

Saturday’s game in Owen Sound will be the Knights’ third crack at the Attack after dropping their first two meetings of the season against the current Midwest Division leaders, including a 5-3 loss in their home opener and a 7-2 midweek defeat back on Oct. 19 in Owen Sound.

Since being pulled against the Attack in that contest, Knights goaltender Brett Brochu has won his last three starts, while Zach Bowen made his third appearance (second start) of the season this past weekend.

The Knights will be missing some bodies this weekend, as Sam Dickinson and Luca Testa are in British Columbia for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Joining them is London’s assistant coach, Rick Steadman. Testa will play for Canada White, while Dickinson and Steadman will be with Canada Black. Both teams open up the tournament Thursday — and they’ll face off against one another Saturday night.

Rookie Sam Dickinson (7 points in 11 GP), pictured, will join teammate Luka Testa and Knights assistant coach, Rick Steadman, at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Nov. 4, 7:00pm) vs. Erie Otters (7-4-0-2, 2nd in Midwest)

The Otters have won four straight, and six of their last seven contests, with victories over division leaders Owen Sound (Midwest) and Windsor (West). In fact, they’re the only team to top the Spitfires in regulation so far this season. Christian Kyrou has continued his strong play offensively, leading the Otters with 15 points in 13 games. He’s one of two defensemen to lead their team in scoring, with Saginaw’s Pavel  Mintyukov being the other. 

Saturday (Nov. 5, 7:30pm) vs. Owen Sound Attack (9-4-0-0, 1st in Midwest)

It’ll be another visit to the Bayshore for the Knights, as they match up against one of the league’s hottest teams. Deni Goure has been on a tear with four goals and eight points over his last four games for the Attack. Montreal Canadiens prospect Cedrick Guindon has 16 points in his last nine games, while captain (and draft-eligible prospect) Colby Barlow has three goals and five points against London in the teams’ two previous matchups this season.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Michael Simpson is getting some league-wide recognition for his strong start in the Peterborough Petes’ net. Posting a 2.22 goals against average, a .923 save percentage, and a 6-2-0-1 record was good enough to earn him OHL Goaltender of the Month honours for October. The London native has the league’s lowest goals-against average (2.38) on the year and is tied for the league lead with seven wins.

Christian Kyrou has tallied the first hat trick of his OHL career. The Dallas Stars defensive prospect is a graduate of the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks, and he’ll be in town with the Otters to play the Knights Friday night.

Jett Luchanko, who is also off to the U17 World Hockey Challenge, scored his second goal of the season last weekend and has points in back to back games for Guelph. He was the Storm’s first-round pick in the most recent OHL draft, going 12th overall. Luchanko will be playing for Canada Red at the World tournament.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

63 - After playing his first 63 OHL games without a goal, defenseman Jackson Edward had goals in back to back games last weekend.

12 - Logan Mailloux had 12 shots on goal against North Bay — the most single-game total by any Knight this season. The Montreal Canadiens’ prospect followed that up with another six shots against Sudbury.

4 - First-year forward Luca Testa leads the Knights with a plus-4 rating, one of five London regulars with a plus/minus rating in the positives.

AROUND THE OHL

Michael Misa is the reigning OHL Rookie of the Month — but the 15-year-old was also among the top OHLers overall during October, as he recorded 10 goals and 17 points through his first 13 games in the league.

Carter George made the most of his OHL call up, stopping 41 of 42 shots in a pair of wins for Owen Sound. The 16-year-old has been playing with the GOJHL’s St. Marys Lincolns, but got his first taste of the OHL last weekend. With Owen Sound trailing Barrie, 5-1, George made his debut midway through the second period, stopping all 14 shots he faced as the Attack came from behind to tie the game. George then stopped all eight shootout attempts to secure his first OHL win. Making his first OHL start Sunday, he made 27 saves in a 4-1 win over Kingston, helping earn him OHL Goaltender of the Week honours.

Ty Voit was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season to end his 10-game run, but he followed that up with seven assists in two games, boosting his league lead to 28 points. His linemate, Nolan Burke, leads the OHL with 11 goals. They’re two of the many reasons Sarnia has points in each of their last five games, including three wins.

Three OHL clubs have submitted letters of intent to bid for the 2024 Memorial Cup: Kingston, Sault Ste. Marie, and Niagara.

The Sudbury Wolves made a coaching change following their weekend visit to London. Following a 3-7-1-0 start, the Wolves parted ways with head coach Craig Duncanson. Assistant General Manager Ken Mackenzie steps in on an interim basis.