KNIGHTS HOST SPITFIRES FOR THIRD MEETING

By Yannis Economopoulos

Knights host Spitfires for third meeting

LONDON, ON – On Wednesday night, led by Ruslan Gazizov’s five-point performance, the London Knights slaughtered the Flint Firebirds 9-2. Tonight, against the Windsor Spitfires, the Knights have an opportunity to win their sixth consecutive outing and extend their point streak to 22 games.

Scouting the Knights (36-11-0-3)

In Flint, Gazizov netted a hat-trick and dished two assists to register his second five-point game this season. Over his last 10 contests, the Russian forward has 13 points on seven goals and six helpers. Through 46 outings this year, Gazizov has a points-per-game average of 1.24 and has already set career highs in goals (24), assists (33), and points (57).

Easton Cowan extended his point streak to 19 games in Wednesday’s win with a goal and an assist. During this outstanding stretch, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has 14 markers and 38 points. The Mount Brydges, Ont. native leads the league with a 1.78 points-per-game average.

Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey are looking to extend their point streaks to seven, while Sam Dickinson, who reached the 50-point plateau in Flint, has recorded three straight multi-point outings.

Special Teams

Power play – 33.2% (1st)

Penalty kill – 84.9% (1st)

Know the Foe – Windsor Spitfires (15-28-3-2)

Windsor ended a three-game losing skid on Thursday after beating Erie 5-4. The Spitfires have won two of their last five contests.

Liam Greentree, a sophomore forward, scored and collected an assist on Thursday for his second consecutive multi-point outing. The Oshawa, Ont. product has 16 points in his last 10 games and leads Windsor in goals (28), assists (40), and points (68). 

Special Teams

Power play – 18.4% (14th)

Penalty kill – 75.6% (17th)

Standings

The Knights remain the leaders of the Midwest Division with 75 points, while the Spitfires are last in the West Division with 35 points.

Head-to-Head

Hosting Windsor over the previous five years, London has a favourable 9-4-0-0 record. In six meetings last season, the green and gold were victorious in four and have taken both meetings from the Spitfires this year.

The puck drops from Budweiser Gardens at 7:00 p.m. EST.