KNIGHTS HOST FIREBIRDS IN FINAL HOME GAME OF THE MONTH
By Yannis Economopoulos
X @YannisEcono
Knights Host Firebirds in Final Home Game of the Month
London, Ont. – The London Knights secured a decisive victory against the Guelph Storm on Wednesday night, triumphing 5-2 and extending their winning streak to four games. This Friday, the Flint Firebirds are set to visit Budweiser Gardens for the Knights’ ultimate home game in November.
Who’s Hot?
London Knights (13-5-0-1)
In a stellar performance, Oliver Bonk, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect, notched a two-goal achievement in the recent win against the Storm, marking his first in the Ontario Hockey League career. With 18 points in 19 contests this season, the right-shot defenseman leads all London blueliners in points and has registered six in his last five games.
The dynamic duo known as the “Twins,” Easton Cowan and Denver Barkey, showcased their prowess by combining for five points on Wednesday, extending their respective streaks to eight consecutive games. Cowan, boasting multiple points in 10 out of 14 outings this season, contributed three assists, while Barkey netted two goals. Cowan has amassed 18 points, whereas Barkey has totaled 13 during this impressive stretch.
Jacob Julien, a prospect for the Winnipeg Jets, has quietly maintained a productive season thus far. Hailing from London, Ontario, Julien has accrued four points in the last two matchups and five in his previous five games.
Know the Foe
Flint Firebirds (8-8-1-1)
Braeden Kressler and Zacharie Giroux lead the charge for the Firebirds, boasting 20 points each. Kressler, an undrafted free agent signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, has tallied an impressive 16 points in his last nine games and holds the lead in power play assists for Flint with 3. Giroux, in his fourth season with Flint after being drafted 57th overall in 2019, has recorded seven multi-point games this season and leads the team with 12 assists.
Gavin Hayes, coming off an outstanding 81-point campaign in 2022-23, has continued his remarkable form with 18 points in 16 games this season. The Chicago Blackhawks prospect leads Flint in goals (11) and power play markers (3), maintaining a consistent scoring presence in all but three contests so far.
Standings
London currently holds the second position in the Midwest Division with 27 points, trailing just one point behind the leading Kitchener Rangers. Meanwhile, the Firebirds occupy the third spot in the West Division with 18 points.
Head-to-Head
In the previous season, these two teams split the four-game series evenly with two wins apiece. However, the Green and Gold hold a 9-6-1-0 record against Flint in the past five years.
Tune in tonight as the Knights aim to clinch their fifth consecutive victory. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST.
