CREDIT: LFPRESS.COM
Tony Bennett has been a key contributor on the freshly revamped Lightning squad.

Everything the London Lightning touch turns to gold, or at least a yellowish hue.

During the busy holiday season, the team managed to rejig its roster successfully, once again. After coach Micheal Ray Richardson changed the squad after a threegame losing streak in November, his hand was forced in December, when players like Jason Forte, Curtis Withers and Jaytornah Wisseh left the team. However, Richardson has managed to find some very good replacements.

Tony Bennett comes in as a second option. As Garrett Williamson has had MVP-like numbers this year, he has been routinely doubleteamed by teams who want to shut down his 20 points per game average. Teams have been able to do that, putting the Lightning to close games. But then Bennett got hot.

Averaging 13 ppg, he has been a great second option for London up top. Sitting at 6 ft. 1 in., he's not the smallest guard the team has, but he can still sink them from distance, shooting 30 per cent from three-point land. Even though Wisseh is a good comparison to Bennett, Tony is a good replacement for Forte as a second option. Forte decided to leave to play in France before the new year, but before that he was averaging 11ppg. Forte was always good for a big dunk or huge play. Bennett has been coming through with some big shots late in games, especially threes. Bennett has become a spark.

Curtis Withers was explosive during his few games with the Lightning. During his four games, he added a presence with a 6 ft. 8 in., 230-pound frame, knocking down eight points per game, all while averaging 14 minutes per game. Unfortunately, he had to leave the club for a more lucrative offer in South Korea. London then found an old foe, in Eric Frederick. The former Montreal Jazz player pasted 47 points against the Lightning at Budweiser Gardens last year, showing his soft touch on a big 6 ft. 8 in. body. Frederick will be a great compliment to Marvin Phillips, as they will be explosive downlow together.

Finally, Stephen McDowell waited weeks before he was cleared to play for the Lightning, but that didn't stop him from practicing with the team. He's a hardworking point guard who has a great shot and quick feet. McDowell will replace Jaytornah Wisseh; a player who was kicked off the team after breaking team rules earlier this season. McDowell brings the pace and the passing ability that Wisseh had, along with a better attitude.

With more changes, it seems like the Lightning have crafted gold again, but only time will tell.

Marty Thompson is the play-by-play voice of the London Lightning for their livestream, SportsLive24.net.