Back in business, Knights climb standings

Knight Watch: London back in familiar territory; Sam Dickinson OHL Player of the Week; Efficiency from goal-scoring Van Gorp; Powerplay clicking once again; Knights get Soo showdown Friday …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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With a solid three-win weekend, the London Knights established themselves as one of the top teams in the Western Conference entering a new week. And just like that, they’re back in a position they’re used to. 

They beat Brantford in overtime Friday, after more than doubling the Bulldogs in shots, and then went on to secure wins in Saginaw and Sarnia to round out a successful weekend that shot them up the Western Conference standings to second place by winning percentage (.667) with a record of 8-4-0-0. 

Easton Cowan had points in all three games to extend his 11-month point streak to 44 games. 

“It’s fun to get out on a road trip and have some time with the boys,” Cowan told Gameday London. “Just making sure you take care of your body is huge in those three [games] in three [days].”

The last time Cowan was held without a point was Nov. 24, 2023 against Sudbury. 

New challenges lay ahead this weekend as the Knights face the red-hot Soo Greyhounds for the first time this season, and then travel to Owen Sound Sunday for their second trip to the Bayshore (they came away with an overtime win on their first trip, courtesy of a Sam O’Reilly goal less than a minute into the extra frame). 

Sam Dickinson knows a thing or two about overtime winners. He called the game against Brantford last Friday night by scoring the game-winning goal to cap off a three-point night. The San Jose Sharks prospect is tied for the team lead with seven goals and is second among OHL defenseman with 15 points. His 55 shots on goal lead the league. 

His busy weekend, where he tallied two goals and seven points, helped earn Dickinson the OHL Player of the Week honours. It’s the first time a Knight has earned the distinction this season.

William Nicholl, Evan Van Gorp and Henry Brzustewicz have all kept up their quiet production through the first month of the season. Nicholl, an Edmonton Oilers prospect, has 12 points through 12 games. Van Gorp has seven goals in 10 games, while Brzustewicz has 10 assists through 11 contests.

It seems that Denver Barkey has finally caught his break. After collecting just two assists through his first six games, the Knights’ captain notched a goal and has four points in his last two games.

Logan Hawery won't be available for the Knights for the next couple of weeks as he heads to the U17 World Hockey Challenge in Sarnia. Caleb Mitchell, who is currently playing with the GOJHL’s London Nationals, is also competing in the tournament.

Evan Van Gorp has seven goals and 10 points in 11 games for the Knights this season. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Friday (Nov. 1, 7:00pm) vs. Soo Greyhounds (8-5-0-0, 2nd in West Division)

It’s been a promising start to the season for the Soo Greyhounds in what was looking like a challenging rebuilding year. Instead, the Greyhounds have won five straight, including a win over first-place Windsor Wednesday. And they recently received some firepower after Owen Allard and Noel Nordh came down from their NHL clubs. Draft-eligible forward Brady Martin leads the team with 12 points, while Travis Hayes and Justin Cloutier both have 10. The Greyhounds have two solid goalies in Detroit Red Wings prospect Landon Miller and Charlie Schenkel, who is among the league leaders in save percentage and goals-against average. After hosting the Greyhounds Friday, they’ll travel to Sault Ste. Marie for a midweek meeting next Wednesday.

Sunday (Nov. 3, 2:00pm) @ Owen Sound Attack (3-7-1-2, 4th in Midwest Division)

Winless in their last six, the Attack currently find themselves four points out of a playoff spot in the early going. Only Guelph and Peterborough have allowed more goals against so far this season. Goaltender Carter George has the ability to steal games, and he gives Owen Sound a chance to win any time he’s in net. Landon Hookey is having a breakout overage campaign with seven goals in 13 games. Sam McCue, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect and younger brother of former Knight Max McCue, has five goals and 10 points through 11 games. Rookie forward Pierce Mbuyi has four goals and eight points, but he won’t be in the lineup Sunday as he takes part in the U17 World Hockey Challenge.

Austin Elliott has won each of his first three games as a London Knight, posting a 2.00 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

15 - London shares the league lead with 15 powerplay goals this season. Sam Dickinson leads the team with five.

46 - Evan Van Gorp has seven goals on 15 shots this season — a 46 percent shooting efficiency. He’s tied for the team lead in goals even though nine Knights players have taken more shots.

214 - The Knights are the second most penalized team in the OHL, behind only North Bay’s 219 minutes.

150 - A strong contingent of about 150 from the London Knights Official Fan Club made the trip to Sarnia Sunday. Two busloads of fans, plus many others who drove themselves, provided some hometown support for the visiting Knights. The group has plans for future fan bus trips to Windsor on Dec. 14 and Niagara on March 1, 2025.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

- Former London Junior Knight Aiden Young did his best to try and get Peterborough into the win column, as he scored his first career hat trick for the winless Petes in a 7-5 loss to Oshawa.

- Back from the Philadelphia Flyers, Jett Luchanko made his season debut, assisting on the only Guelph Storm goal in a 10-1 loss to Brampton.

- It was a couple of firsts for a pair of Petes, as Ilderton’s Liam Ladds and Brennan Faulker both scored their first OHL goals.

- Parker Vaughan scored his first and second OHL goals on back-to-back nights for the Barrie Colts.

AROUND THE OHL

- The league has announced a top prospects game for OHL talent eligible for the upcoming NHL draft. The Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game will be played in Brantford on Jan. 15, 2025. 

- Oshawa traded goaltender Noah Bender to Flint for a pair of draft picks.

- Brantford traded forward Briir Long to the North Bay Battalion. Long is coming off a tremendous rookie campaign with the GOJHL’s St. Thomas Stars.

- The Windsor Spitfires have won five straight games and lead the OHL with 21 points. They have 10 wins already this season, after finishing last year with just 18.