Busy weekend ahead; second crack at Saginaw

Knight Watch: London gets rematch vs. Spirit — this time on the road, where they’ll be looking to play a more disciplined game; Brantford makes lone trip to London Friday; Where do Knights rank on draft list? …

Jacob Julien is off to a bit of a slow start for London in the early going, notching just one goal in his first nine games with a minus-7 rating. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Knights got their first crack at the Saginaw Spirit since losing the Memorial Cup final last Friday. It did not go their way.

The Knights were outshot 37-18 in a 5-1 defeat, and captain Denver Barkey said it was a disappointing effort in a game London was very much looking forward to.

“We had it circled on our schedule for a while now, and we didn’t play our game,” Barkey told Gameday London. “We got off to a slow start and had to chase the game.”

It was a one-goal game heading into the final period when Saginaw scored three (two of which came on the powerplay). By comparison, London had only three third-period shots. And they also managed six minor penalties. In other words, not quite the recipe for a comeback.

Fortunately, they responded in a big way Sunday against Erie. They outshot the Otters 17-7 in the opening 20 minutes, and then really took over in the second, during which they scored all three of their goals to open a two-goal advantage that they would not relinquish. Rene Van Bommel, Easton Cowan and Jesse Nurmi each scored for London.

It was the type of response, Barkey says, that the Knights were looking for.

“We had a good bounceback on Sunday, that really shows our resilience and how close we are as a team,” the captain said. “We’re just looking to stay consistent and continue to put forward a solid effort every night and execute our systems.”

After splitting a pair of games to American foes, the Knights now get set for three games in three nights this weekend. This type of stretch can be both physically and mentally challenging for young hockey players — especially for those new to the league. But its the reality of junior hockey.

“It’s tough come day two or three when your body gets run down,” says Barkey. “Nobody is going to be feeling completely 100 per cent by Sunday. Your legs aren’t always going to be there, so it’s important to keep it simple and execute the system, and the rest will come.”

The Knights host Brantford Friday as they wrap up a five-game home stand before traveling to Saginaw Saturday and then Sarnia on Sunday.

NHL Central Scouting released its list of players to watch for the NHL draft this spring. Hunter Brzustewicz was listed as a ‘C’ prospect, indicating he could be selected in the fourth or fifth round. Blake Arrowsmith and Alexei Medvedev were ‘W’ prospects as potential sixth or seventh round picks.

No Knights were selected for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. London will host game one of the two-game series on Nov. 26 (the other is Nov. 27 in Oshawa). The Knights’ Chris Maton (Equipment Manager) and Luca Paron (Athletic Therapist) will be part of the support staff for the game in London.

Through nine games entering the weekend, forward William Nicholl leads the Knights with nine points. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Oct. 25, 7:00pm) vs. Brantford Bulldogs (5-3-1-0, 1st in East Division)

On Friday, the Bulldogs make their first and only trip to Canada Life Place this season. They’re currently tied with Oshawa atop their division, and they’ll likely be neck-and-neck with the Generals as both look to compete for an OHL Championship this year. Newly named captain Patrick Thomas leads the Bulldogs in scoring, while Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis is just behind. Brantford boasts some elite goaltending in Ryerson Leenders. Forward Jake O’Brien, the reigning OHL Rookie of the Year, could be a first-round pick in next spring’s NHL draft.

Saturday (Oct. 26, 7:05pm) @ Saginaw Spirit (6-4-1-0, 4rd in West Division)

This will be London’s first trip to the Dow Event Center since May 29 when the Spirit topped London for the Memorial Cup Championship. Last week’s redemption game didn’t go as planned for the Knights, but they’ll get another chance Saturday night. Zayne Parekh had two goals against London last Friday, and Kristian Epperson played the role of pest to perfection, luring London into some undisciplined penalties — and then scoring a beautiful end-to-end goal on the powerplay. London’s lone goal came with the man-advantage, so they’ll need to generate more at even strength this time around.

Sunday (Oct. 27, 2:05pm) @ Sarnia Sting (6-2-1-3, 2nd in West Division)

The young guns have provided an early season boost for the Sting. Komoka’s Beckham Edwards leads the team in scoring with six goals and 11 points, while second overall pick Alessandro Di Iorio is finding his stride. All eight of his points have come during his current six-game point streak. Former Knight Kaeden Johnston had three goals in his first two games with the Sting but hasn’t scored since. Captain and St. Louis Blues prospect Lukas Fischer has nine points in 10 games from the blueline,

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

- Ryan Roobroeck tied the game late in the third period then won it in overtime as Niagara beat Kingston to record their seventh win of the season. A surprise start to the season has them leading the Central Division in points. The London native is a big reason for that success with seven goals and 11 points thus far.

- NHL Central Scouting has listed Parker Snelgrove (Guelph Storm) and Matthew Koprowski (Owen Sound) as players to watch for the NHL draft, indicating both could be late round picks.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

6 - Sam O’Reilly signed his entry level contract with the Edmonton Oilers, giving the Knights six players who have signed with an NHL club.

30 - Newly acquired goaltender Austin Elliott made 30 saves against Erie to record his first OHL win, which happens to be his 59th career CHL victory.

5 - As the Knights prepare for three games in three nights this weekend, it will be the first of five such weekends this season.

AROUND THE OHL

- The Soo Greyhounds are getting some reinforcements, as they signed Swedish forward Noel Nordh, while Owen Allard has returned to the team from Utah Hockey Club, where he’d been skating with their AHL affiliate in Tucson.

- The Niagara IceDogs traded captain Gavin Bryant to the Peterborough Petes, and then announced that Kevin He would be the team’s new captain.