KNIGHTS WELCOME STING FOR ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR TOSS GAME
LONDON, Ont. – After losing two consecutive games over the weekend, the London Knights are looking to get back in the win column as they return home for a clash with the Sarnia Sting in Tuesday night’s Teddy Bear Toss game.
Players to Watch – London Knights (15-10-0-1)
Kasper Halttunen: An assist in Saturday’s loss against Saginaw extended Kasper Halttunen’s point streak to 12 games. With an impressive nine goals and 18 points on this entertaining stretch, the Finnish winger continues to be the hottest player in the league right now and shows no signs of regression. In his first Ontario Hockey League season, the San Jose Sharks prospect is third on the team with 30 points in 26 outings.
Easton Cowan: In his last three contests, Easton Cowan has tallied six points on a goal and five assists. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has been lethal on the penalty kill all season, burying three shorthanded goals, tied for the most in the league with teammate Denver Barkey and two others. In 21 games this season, the Mount Brydges, Ont. native has accumulated 34 points.
Know the Foe – Sarnia Sting (10-16-0-0)
Jacob LeBlanc: Last season, Jacob LeBlanc totalled 27 points in 66 games. Through 26 appearances this year, the defenceman has already reached 25 points. The Port Colborne, Ont. product, selected in the third round by the Kitchener Rangers in the 2020 OHL Draft, leads the Sting in assists (21) and points but carries a plus-minus rating of -7. Coming into London, LeBlanc owns a three-game, five-point streak.
Sandis Vilmanis: With four points in his current three-game streak, Sandis Vilmanis has found the back of the net in all three outings. The Latvian forward and Florida Panthers prospect leads the Sting in power-play points (9) and is second in points (24).
Head-to-Head – Last season, the Knights took four of six games against Sarnia but dropped the first meeting back in October. In the previous five years, the green and gold hold a commanding 9-5-0-0 home record when the Sting are in town.
Standings – London, still with 31 points, recently fell to third place in the Midwest Division. Meanwhile, Sarnia sits fourth in the West Division with 20 points.
The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST.
