Knights Split Weekend
November 11, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
London Knights News Release
The London Knights split the weekend with a win against the Owen Sound Attack on Friday at home and their first loss of the season in Flint against the Firebirds, snapping their 9-game win streak.
On Friday at Budweiser Gardens, the Knights hosted the Attack for their 5th matchup of the season. It was a low-scoring affair, with one goal coming from each team in regulation. London opened the scoring in the first, as Ruslan Gazizov make a tremendous effort to keep the puck within the offensive zone, passing it off to Bryce Montgomery whose rebound was picked up by Cody Morgan for the goal. Despite London's dominance on offence, as they recorded 35 shots on goal to Owen Sound's 18, the Attack would bounce back in the second to tie up the game on the power play, and eventually overtime was needed to settle the score.
With everyone holding their breath in the arena, and the Knights' win streak on the line, it was captain Luke Evangelista who notched the game-winning goal with under a minute left in the extra frame. After a massive scramble in front of the Knights' net, where goaltender Brett Brochu managed to keep the puck out, Evangelista flew up the side of the ice before deking out an opposing player and stuffing it in short side.
On Saturday night, the Knights travelled down to Flint, Michigan, to face off against the Firebirds. Evangelista did not travel due to flu-like symptoms, and Gazizov did not make the trip as he had not yet acquired a visa to cross the border.
In the first, the Knights were called for four minors, requiring a strong penalty kill to keep the Firebirds off the scoreboard. London's efforts were successful, but Flint still managed to tally a goal at even strength to open the scoring.
In the second, forward Liam Gilmartin scored his first goal of his OHL career, tipping a shot from the point from defender Ben Roger just after a power play had expired. Barely a minute later, the Knights added onto their goal, as rookie forward Denver Barkey also scored his first OHL goal on a wrister from in front of the net. Max McCue and Stuart Rolofs assisted on the play.
The Firebirds would go on to take the lead in the second with two more goals, and they were able to sustain their dominance to secure the win, and the Knights' first loss of the season.
The Knights were the only remaining undefeated team in the OHL, and went on a 9-0 win streak that saw an excellent offensive prowess from the skaters, and a dominant performance from Brochu in net. They'll look to start another win streak on Tuesday, November 9th, as they host the Guelph Storm. The November 9th game will also feature a Remembrance Day ceremony prior to puck drop. Tickets can be purchased over the phone at (519) 681-0800 ext. 1, in person at the Aluminum Associates London Knights Armoury, or online here: https://bit.ly/3yAZxc2
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