Knight Watch: London has begun to score. Have they turned a corner?

The Knights swept a home-and-home against Saginaw last weekend — and scored a lot of goals. Is the offense starting to click? With three games in three days on tap, columnist Jake Jeffrey has all the latest Knights news & notes …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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With a pair of wins over Saginaw last weekend, it seems the Knights have found their scoring touch.

In those victories, five Knights players found the back of the net for the first time this season as the team broke out with 11 goals in two games. London had scored just 14 times in their previous six games.

The Knights were also able to stymie Saginaw’s powerplay, which ranks among the best in the league. On Saturday, London certainly kept the Western Conference’s top power play in check by successfully killing off all six penalties.

Knights backup goalie Zach Bowen made his first OHL start, turning aside 14 shots in Saturday’s victory. He may get another start this weekend, depending on how the team plans to handle Brett Brochu’s workload with three games over three nights.

Looking at other breakout players, Brody Crane had a four-point weekend and Denver Barkey has three goals and seven points over his last six games. George Diaco now has four goals in five games since joining the Knights. He leads the team in scoring with six goals and nine points over seven games.

London’s depth will get a good test this weekend with the three-in-three on tap, all against Eastern Conference opponents. They’ll be on the road in Niagara Thursday, then back home against North Bay and Sudbury Friday and Saturday.

A trio of London Knights have made NHL Central Scouting’s list of players to watch ahead of the 2023 entry draft. Oliver Bonk was given a ‘B’ rating, indicating a potential second or third round pick, while Denver Barkey and Easton Cowan were given ‘C’ ratings.

A future Knights name to keep tabs on is Sam O’Reilly. The second round pick in 2022 is top ten in GOJHL scoring with 12 goals and 25 points for the London Nationals (leading all rookie scorers in the league).

Denver Barkey, who entered action this week with three goals and seven points over his last six games, was named to NHL Central Scouting’s October list of players to watch (along with teammates Oliver Bonk and Easton Cowan). (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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UPCOMING GAMEDAYS

Thursday (Oct. 27, 7:00pm) vs. Niagara IceDogs (3-5-2-0)

No OHL team had a bigger offseason turnover than Niagara, with changes in ownership, behind the bench, and various changes on the ice as well, as the franchise is looking to turn the page on a new chapter. Former Knights Gerard Keane and Owen Flores are two of those new faces in the IceDogs’ lineup. Keep an eye out for former second overall pick Pano Fimis, as well as Aidan Castle and former Sarnia Sting forward Nolan Dann.

Friday (Oct. 28, 7:00pm) vs. North Bay Battalion (5-3-0-0) (North Bay plays Windsor Thursday)

The Battalion are a tough matchup. They won’t blow your socks off with offence, but they’re a hardworking group that is no fun to play against. Kyle Jackson and Matvey Petrov lead things offensively, while former first overall pick Ty Nelson is a force on the back end. Dalyn Wakely is a strong two-way forward with a heavy shot, and Ilderton’s Owen Van Steensel is also one to keep an eye out for as he makes his first trip to Budweiser Gardens as a visiting OHLer. Winnipeg Jets prospect Dom DiVincentiis has been in net for all five of North Bay’s wins this season.

Saturday (Oct. 29, 7:00pm) vs. Sudbury Wolves (3-5-1-0) (Sudbury plays Sarnia Friday)

David Goyette and Alex Pharand, two players to look out for, lead the Wolves with six goals, while former first overall pick Quentin Must has been a solid offensive catalyst for the Wolves. Former Mississauga Steelheads netminder Joe Rangers has handled a bulk of the duty in net, with three wins in seven starts this season.

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Michael Simpson made 46 saves in a pair of victories for the Peterborough Petes last weekend, improving to 5-2 on the season.

Exeter’s Jackson McLlwain scored his first OHL goal in Windsor’s weekend win over Niagara.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

5 - Five different Knights players scored their first goals of the season last weekend.

4 - All but four Knights had at least a point in their 7-4 win over Saginaw Saturday.

7 - In their last five games, London has picked up seven out of a possible 10 points.

156 - Sean McGurn has taken 156 faceoffs, almost twice as many as the next highest Knights player. He’s won 92 of those faceoffs, good for an impressive 59% success rate. 

AROUND THE OHL

The Ottawa 67’s remain red hot, as they’ve won nine games to start the season, scoring almost twice as many goals (41) as they’ve allowed (22).

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ty Voit has points in all ten games he’s played this season. The Sting forward leads the league with 21 points.

The London Knights got their first taste of rookie sensation Michael Misa last weekend. The 15-year-old is tied for the league lead with eight goals. 

The Guelph Storm’s early season slide continues, as they’ve lost six straight — and have only one win in ten games this season.

Kitchener has put their slow start behind them. After five straight losses, the Rangers have rattled off four straight wins, three in convincing fashion.

Filip Mešár has made the most of his time in Kitchener. Since being returned from the Montreal Canadiens, he has three goals and seven points.