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On November 22, the London Knights faced the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in a competitive match at GFL Memorial Gardens. This game not only showcased intense hockey but also honored one of the league’s notable players. The Greyhounds retired the jersey number of London native Jeff Carter, with his number 7 joining the rafters alongside legends like Wayne Gretzky and Ron Francis.
The atmosphere was electric as fans rallied behind the Greyhounds, but the Knights aimed to dominate. Just over seven minutes into the first period, Sault Ste. Marie took an early lead with a goal from Jeremy Martin, marking his seventh of the season. London quickly demonstrated their offensive abilities in response.
The facts
As the match progressed, Ben Wilmott made a vital play at the blue line, intercepting a clearing attempt from the Greyhounds. He maneuvered toward the net and executed a backhand shot that equalized the score at 1-1 at 14:16 in the first period. This goal shifted the momentum in favor of the Knights. Captain Evan Van Gorp then set up Braiden Clark for a goal, putting London ahead 2-1 as they headed into the locker room.
Power play success
In the second period, the Knights extended their lead with a power play goal from Braidy Wassilyn, who has scored in each of his last four games. Assisted by Sam O’Reilly and Jaxon Cover, Wassilyn’s goal at 12:44 made it 3-1. This season, London has outscored opponents in the second period in 17 of 24 games.
The combination of Wilmott and Van Gorp early in the third period led to another goal, increasing the score to 4-1. Van Gorp finished a two-on-one play with a confident shot, marking his fourth goal of the season. However, the Greyhounds were determined to make a comeback.
Final push and defensive resilience
As the game continued, Sault Ste. Marie made a strong effort to close the gap. Goals from Marco Mignosa and Chase Reid brought the Greyhounds within one goal at 4-3. Despite their late rally, the Knights exhibited strong defensive resilience. They blocked numerous shots, and Aleksei Medvedev made crucial saves, securing the victory for London.
Despite being outshot 24-19, the Knights capitalized on their opportunities, concluding the game with a power play efficiency of 1-for-3 and a perfect penalty kill record of 1-for-1. This win marked an important step forward for the Knights as the season progresses.
Upcoming events and community engagement
As November transitions into December, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) community prepares for the annual Teddy Bear Toss. The Knights will host this event on December 3 against the Kitchener Rangers. Last season, the Knights set a record by collecting over 15,000 stuffed toys for the Salvation Army. The excitement continues as the Knights prepare to face the Saginaw Spirit at home on November 28 before heading to Saginaw for a rematch the following day.