Around the OHL: Is it time to panic?

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: GUELPHMERCURY.COM
Guelph’s Garret Sparks made 44 saves in London to hand London their second straight loss at home at the end of September.

In the last week of September, the London Knights lost two games in a row, something most teams wouldn't be too concerned with. London is being held to a different standard, though, considering that they didn't lose two games in a row in the 2011/12 season, including playoffs and the Memorial Cup. What is most alarming is that the Knights lost both of those games in London.

Should London be concerned?
No, not yet. It's not something to ignore, but the players should put it behind them because there is no point in dwelling on the past. London was beaten by a strong Kitchener Rangers team 2-1 on September 28, and then was defeated by the very unpredictable Guelph Storm on September 30, 4- 1. Two goals in two home games is unacceptable in any league, which puts a big question mark on the London Knights' forwards' offensive abilities, or lack of them.

Maybe we're not giving enough credit to the Rangers and Storm. In the game on September 30, the London Knights put 45 shots on goal in the losing effort. I'll give Storm goaltender Garret Sparks some credit, because he is the reason why the Storm picked up the win; London ran into a hot goaltender, and that's enough to give any team a chance to win.

September 28 was the same story; goalie John Gibson made 42 saves and allowed one goal to help his Kitchener Rangers team pick up the win.

I would only be concerned that the Knights' forwards are frustrated, which they should be; 88 shots on net and only two goals to show for it — a drastic change from last season when London had no problem finding the back of the opposition's net.

In those two games London was beaten, they didn't lose those games, and there is a difference: the Knights did everything they needed to do to win those games, but the opposition was just better.

The Knights will obviously work on their offence in practice and maybe we will see a shakeup on the forward lines, and along with everything else, it is still very, very early in the season.

The end of September was a bitter end for the Knights, but that being said, fans can look forward to the new month and hopefully see some better chemistry in October.