KNIGHTS ENDING WEEK IN FLINT
By Yannis Economopoulos
Knights ending the week in Flint
LONDON, ON – The London Knights lost their second consecutive game after falling 4-3 to the Kitchener Rangers in overtime on Friday night. To finish the week, the green and gold are crossing the border for a date with the Flint Firebirds on Saturday.
Scouting the Knights (42-13-1-3)
With a shorthanded goal on Friday, Easton Cowan’s point streak is now up to 28 games. During that span, the Mount Brydges, Ont. native has accumulated 21 goals, 31 helpers, and 52 points. Through 46 appearances this year, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has a point-per-game average of 1.74, a league-best.
Ruslan Gazizov extended his point streak to six games after recording an assist against the Rangers. In that span, the Russian forward has 10 points on four goals and six helpers. When London visited Flint in early February, Gazizov had a five-point outing, including a hat trick. Through 55 appearances this season, he has 67 points.
Special Teams
Power play – 30.4% (2nd)
Penalty kill – 84.4% (1st)
Know the Foe – Flint Firebirds (26-28-3-1)
Flint has won two in a row but has dropped three of their last five contests. In their previous ten games, the Firebirds are 7-3-0-0.
Oliver Peer, acquired by the Firebirds from Windsor in early January, has tallied 22 points in 20 games for Flint.
The overage forward, signed as a free agent by the Spitfires in 2021, has 69 points in 57 outings this season, surpassing his former career high of 67.
Through three meetings against London this year, Peer has four assists.
Special Teams
Power play – 17.7% (17th)
Penalty kill – 78.5% (13th)
Head-to-Head
Through three meetings this year, London has been victorious in two. Last season, these teams split the four-game series.
Standings
The Knights hold the top spot in the Midwest Division and Western Conference with 88 points. Meanwhile, the Firebirds are third in the West Division with 56 points.
The puck drops from the Dort Financial Center at 7:00 p.m. EST.