Though idle on Sunday, the London Knights managed to clinch their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title thanks to a Barrie Colts 6-3 victory over the Owen Sound Attack.
The 41-16-2-0 Knights sit atop the Western Conference standings with 84 points. They’ve excelled on the road this season with a league-leading 21 victories away from Budweiser Gardens.
Since joining the Midwest Division at the start of the 2002-03 season, the Knights have earned the Holody Trophy – named in honour of former owner and governor of the Guelph Platers and Owen Sound Platers Joe Holody – a total of 12 times. Prior to that, they clinched first in the West Division during the 1997-98 campaign, and finished atop the Emms Division in 1977-78 and 1989-90. This marks the second time the Knights have won four straight Midwest Division titles after doing so in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The Knights have surrendered 177 goals this season, the third-lowest amount in the OHL thanks to goaltenders Brett Brochu and Zach Bowen. While being stingy defensively, London’s blue line has also produced steady offence, with Montreal Canadiens prospect Logan Mailloux sitting one shy of the league-lead with 22 goals from the back end. 2023 NHL Draft prospect Oliver Bonk is having himself a nice rookie season with 10 goals and 24 assists while first-year rearguard Sam Dickinson has also turned heads with 19 points (8-11–19) in 53 games.
The Knights boast a wealth of championship experience up front in former Hamilton Bulldogs trio George Diaco, Ryan Winterton and Ryan Humphrey. Overage centreman Sean McGurn leads the team offensively with 74 points (24-50–74) in 59 games while Denver Barkey (20-35–55), Easton Cowan (15-26–41), Brody Crane (11-28–39) and Ruslan Gazizov (20-18–38) have also chipped in with contributions.
The Knights have nine games remaining on their regular season schedule as they’ll visit the Barrie Colts on Thursday night.
MIDWEST CHAMPS!!#GoKnightsGo pic.twitter.com/66TCtIimbm
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) March 5, 2023
