Knights Struggle to Stay Afloat Amid Roster Shortages
December 13, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
London Knights News Release
The London Knights are known for their offensive prowess, which struggled amid several losses to the roster, including two defencemen, goaltender Brett Brochu and Captain Luke Evangelista.
The Knights started their week strong on Tuesday with a 6-2 win over the Kitchener Rangers at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
The game became physical, beginning when Knights winger Liam Gilmartin took exception to a charge by Rangers' winger Trent Swick. What followed was a flurry of fisticuffs when another Rangers' winger - Mike Petizan - crashed into Brochu. The Knights still secured Brochu's league-leading 16th win before leaving for Hockey Canada's World Junior Selection Camp alongside Evangelista.
Evangelista amassed three points on a goal from Cody Morgan and two from Sean McGurn, who scored his first OHL shorthanded goal when Jackson Edward went to the box for cross-checking. The 19-year-old Ottawa native racked up two goals and four points, earning himself the title of the OHL's first star of the night.
Antonio Stranges continues to impress with his stickhandling abilities, securing two of the six goals, while newly acquired Tye McSorely scored his first goal in the green and gold.
Since joining the Knights from the Oshawa Generals, McSorely has made his presence known with his heavy, energetic style on the forecheck.
Following the game, the Knights lost Evangelista and Brochu to Team Canada. Amid the roster changes were Landon Sim and Bryce Montgomery. Both are serving two-game suspensions for fight-related delay of game.
Earlier that Tuesday, Stuart Rolofs was traded to the Oshawa Generals for draft picks.
The Knights returned home to Budweiser Gardens on Friday, Dec 10th to face off against the Windsor Spitfires, who scored three times in the first period and delivered the Knights a 4-1 loss.
Following Tuesday's events, injury and non-COVID-related illness, the Knights were short defencemen, using forwards Brody Crane and Liam Gilmartin on the blueline.
Rookie Goaltender Owen Flores made his first start at Budweiser Gardens, stopping 15 of 19 shots in the opening frame.
Spitfire's Alex Christopolous opened the scoring at 9:26 of the first period, followed by goals from Matt Maggio and Wyatt Johnston giving the Spitfire a 3-0 lead going into the second period.
An early period goal by Kyle Macdonald secured Windsor's 4-0 lead, where Knights head coach Dale Hunter switched goaltenders, putting in Matt Onuska in the London crease.
Onuska was cleared to play after recovering from mononucleosis, making 22 saves.
The Knights' sole goal was scored by Cody Morgan, making this his 10th goal of the season.
The Knights returned to Budweiser Gardens the next night to take on the Guelph Storm, who sits one point behind the first-place London Knights in the Western Conference.
The Knights closed out the weekend with a 4-0 loss to the storm - the first shutout in nearly two years.
London was still dealing with a shortage of defencemen and couldn't finish on the handful of breakaways they generated.
McGurn, known for his playmaking ability, created some opportunity but couldn't seem to convert. Ruslan Gazizov, Cody Morgan and Antonio Stranges also had some scoring chances that didn't pan out.
Guelph came out strong and created an offensive rush early in the game, overwhelming the Knights. Daniil Chayka was able to capitalize, opening the scoring in the first, followed by two goals in the second and a fourth in the third period.
Despite the Knights' offensive struggles, Onuska was able to keep the Knights in the game proving that he is ready to take on a bigger role in the crease with Brochu away at the World Juniors.
The Knights are back in action this Friday at Budweiser Gardens against the Owen Sound Attack.
Evangelista will be returning from World Junior Selection Camp, while Montgomery and Sim will suit up after their two-game suspensions.
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.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2021
- Knights Struggle to Stay Afloat Amid Roster Shortages - London Knights
- Frontenacs' Lucas Edmonds Named OHL Player of the Week - Kingston Frontenacs
- Mack Guzda Named OHL Goaltender of the Week - Barrie Colts
- Guzda and Edmonds Named OHL Top Performers of the Week - OHL
- Generals Win 4-1 over Rival Petes - Oshawa Generals
- Burroughs Named Player of the Week After 5 Point Weekend - Owen Sound Attack
- Seven Past and Present OHL Players Named to Canada's National Junior Team - OHL
- O'Rourke to Represent Canada at 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship - Soo Greyhounds
- Brochu Named to 2022 Team Canada World Junior Roster - London Knights
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