Knights' Night: Knights are slowly, but surely making a steady comeback

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: ANDREW STEPHENSON OF SHAKE MEDIA AND THE LONDON KNIGHTS
After a difficult start to the season, the London Knights seem to be in a high, winning three of their last four games, including one against the Flint Firebirds. It can only get better from here.

The London Knights host their first home-game win of the season as they handed the Firebirds an embarrassing 8-2 loss during the Oct. 27 game.

In untraditional London fashion, the Knights have been struggling to find their footing this season as they now sit last place in the Midwest Division with only five wins in 15 games played.

However, Friday’s win against the Flint Firebirds appeared to reignite the fast-paced and lethal Knights we all know and love, as it marks the first home win of the season, paving the way for many more home victories to come.

Just a mere 12 seconds into the game, St. Louis first round draft pick, #27 Robert Thomas, netted his first of four goals on the night, assisted by #48 Sam Miletic and #72, Alec Regula. Thomas recognized the importance of getting ahead early in light of the Knights’ recent struggle.

“Anytime you score early in the game it definitely gives the team momentum. And we've been struggling at home here so we knew we wanted to come out fast, get on the board early, and keep going from there,” the Knights’ Centre said in a post-game interview.

As the London unit drew first blood in what could be one of the quickest goals in Knights history, it certainly would set the tone for the remainder of the game, as the Knights added two more goals courtesy of #63 Cliff Pu and #80 Alex Forementon, giving them a 3-0 lead after the first period of play.

Although the Firebirds only managed to register four shots on net in the first period, they would make sure that the sixth shot counted, as Firebirds #92 Ethan Keppen scored his fifth goal of the season.

However, not even a minute later on an ensuing power play opportunity, the Knights’ first star of the game, Robert Thomas, answered right back with his second goal of the night, giving London a 4-1 lead.

With a comfortable three goal lead, the Knights turned to their new rookie draft picks to help increase Flint’s deficit. Doing so in almost veteran fashion, rookies #76 Billy Moskal and #77 Tim Fallowfield both scored their first goals ever in a Knights uniform, preventing the Firebirds from stopping any of bleeding.

Robert Thomas, who was responsible for half of the Knights goals, was very pleased with the rookies’ performance and only had high expectations of what’s yet to come.

 “The sky is the limit for those guys. They’re playing really well and growing each and every game,” Thomas said.

As the dying seconds of play wound down, the final score of 8-2 featured a contribution of a Robert Thomas hat-trick, two rookie scorers, as well as a goal from Alex Formenton who returned Friday to the Knights for the first time after playing with the Ottawa Senators.

As the win over the Firebirds marks a 3-game winning streak, it appears as though the Knights may have just found their stride, with so many great young talents contributing to Friday’s victory.