Knights' Night: Average the new astonishing for Knights

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: ANDREW STEPHENSON OF SHAKE MEDIA AND THE LONDON KNIGHTS
Andrew Stephenson of Shake Media and the London Knights.

If the London Knights can be called anything right now, it’s average. First, they lost nine of their opening ten games.

Then, they won four in a row, scoring an astounding 21 goals in the process. Today, they’ve won two of their last four since their latest one on Nov. 4.

In terms of point percentage, they’re still the third-worst team in the Ontario Hockey League, but things are looking up.

The Knights beat Hamilton, got shut out by Guelph, lost in overtime to Saginaw, and topped Owen Sound. All in a span of eight days.

Max Jones was the hero for London in Hamilton, scoring the shootout winner in the third round. Cliff Pu and Sam Miletic scored in regulation in the 3-2 win.

Less than 24 hours later, the Knights were in Guelph to play the Storm and things didn’t go quite as well.

London was shut out 4-0 at the Sleeman Centre; Anthony Popovich earned the shutout for the Storm, while Cam Hillis picked up the game winner.

After a quick two games in Hamilton and Guelph, the Knights had some time to relax.

They weren’t back in action until Nov. 3, when they welcomed the Saginaw Spirit to Budweiser Gardens.

In a game that could have went either way, the Knights found themselves with the short end of the straw.

After falling behind early, London made two separate comebacks in the third period; one from 4-2 down, and one from 5-4.

Pu tied the game 5-5 late in the third period, but that’s as close as the Knights would get. A goal by Brady Gilmour just 17 seconds into overtime sealed the victory for the Spirit.

Knights’ Robert Thomas drove much of the offense, picking up his tenth and eleventh goals of the season, and adding an assist.

Thomas is red hot as of late; he now has 22 points in just 14 games, good enough for 12th in league scoring.

Evan Bouchard had a goal and three helpers, while Miletic picked up three assists of his own.

It wouldn’t be a typical London Knights weekend if they weren’t finishing a game and packing in the same breath.

Less than 24 hours after falling to Saginaw, the Knights were on the bus to Owen Sound.

Their fortunes were different in that one; Jones’ two goals were the difference, as the Knights beat the Attack 4-1.

Thomas continued his hot play, scoring the game winning goal and adding an assist to boot.

Joseph Raaymakers made 24 saves in the victory, improving to 5-1-1 over his seven starts for the Knights.

You’re probably reading this and thinking, yeah, the Knights are average.

Which is fine. The team is playing pretty good hockey, and the early season woes are surely behind them.

It’s a long season, and London will get better as the campaign goes on.

It’s nice to see the team scoring goals, winning games, and getting back to the form fans are used to seeing from them.

Now, it’s all about consistency.

The Knights are in action next when they host the Flint Firebirds on Nov. 10 at Budweiser Gardens.