Sportsnet CHL Saturday Showcase: Kitchener at London
A classic OHL Midwest Division rivalry kicks off the 2018-19 edition of Sportsnet’s CHL Saturday Showcase as the Kitchener Rangers (6-2-2-0) visit the London Knights (4-4-1-0) at 3:30pm ET.
It’s a big weekend in London as the Forest City hosts the 100th episode of the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour, bringing it back to where it all began four years ago.
The Knights enter play on a three-game slide, dropping a 4-2 decision against the visiting Oshawa Generals on Friday. The Knights were without injured forward Liam Foudy for the matchup, but had goals from rookies Matvey Guskov and Antonio Stranges in the loss.
SNEAK PEEK: @Rogers #HometownHockey celebrates its 100th episode by heading back to where it all started: London, ON! Take a look at some of the stories we’ll be telling this Sunday, including @GoLondonKnights, @BrandonPrust8 and @88EricLindros.
???? 6:30pmET/3:30pmPT SN ONE + 360 pic.twitter.com/ww66dbBygs
— Rogers Hometown Hockey (@hometownhockey_) October 15, 2018
With potential returnees in captain Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers) and Alex Formenton (Ottawa Senators) still in the NHL, the Knights have leaned on Foudy, 2019 NHL Draft prospect Connor McMichael and third-year veteran Nathan Dunkley up front while Chicago Blackhawks first round pick Adam Boqvist has gotten his feet wet in the OHL, recording five assists and 29 shots on goal through his first eight games.
The visiting Rangers visit London on the heels of a 5-0 shutout win at home to the rival Guelph Storm on Friday. Goaltender Luke Richardson, who was recently named to the OHL’s roster for the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series, stopped all 31 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season.
Kitchener is led offensively by 19-year-old veteran Joseph Garreffa (5-10–15) while Swedish forward Rickard Hugg (7-7–14) is also off to a strong start, already surpassing his goal-scoring total from all of last season.
While the first instalment of Sportsnet’s CHL Saturday Showcase is on the air at 3:30pm ET, it’s a whole weekend of fun in London as Rogers Hometown Hockey hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone bring out great storylines from London’s rich hockey history.
How the Hunter brothers turned the @GoLondonKnights into the powerhouse they are today. (@EmmySadler)https://t.co/cs3G2Ys6zA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 19, 2018
From Brandon Prust and the 2005 Knights to Hockey Hall of Fame great Eric Lindros, London has some great hockey stories to be shared. The weekend culminates in Sunday’s contest between the Calgary Flames and host New York Rangers on Sportsnet at 6:30pm ET.
Don’t miss this one as two of the Midwest Division’s age-old rivals go head-to-head on a big weekend in London!
For full coverage of the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour, visit hometownhockey.com.