London Knights 2018-19 Season Thread (Part 8)

[Fastpace]

How do you see a matchup against the Hounds? I know last night wasn’t their best game. Do you see any similarities with the Knights? Some real top end players with a good young core and solid goaltending? You know that feeling as a fan when you’re worried every time a player(s) is on the ice? I felt reasonably comfortable unless Frost and Hayton were on the ice., then of course there’s Hollowell. Sambrook is a hell of a player. Just a good team as their record indicates.

The Hounds are older with experience the Knights are younger with no experience the edge goes to the Hound's. However I do see the Knights with more depth and if they can use all four lines with regularity to keep their players fresh it would force the Greyhounds to use theirs as well or risk tiring their top lines from playing a fast playoffs hockey pace, ether way advantage s goes to London by having stronger third and fourth lines or by tiring the Greyhounds for only using two and three lines. Lot of peoples will disagree with me but if you roll four lines out keeping the young legs fresh and well rested they can easyly own the third period or overtime plays, in other words keeping their energy tank near full for each time they hit the ice. None of it would work if all players don't buy into the system like what happened at the World Junior's, players must accept each role assigned or it won't work. IMHO

 

[Snippit]

How do you see a matchup against the Hounds? I know last night wasn’t their best game. Do you see any similarities with the Knights? Some real top end players with a good young core and solid goaltending? You know that feeling as a fan when you’re worried every time a player(s) is on the ice? I felt reasonably comfortable unless Frost and Hayton were on the ice., then of course there’s Hollowell. Sambrook is a hell of a player. Just a good team as their record indicates.

SSM has had our number lately, and I have a feeling they'll beat us again on Sunday (we don't have a great record on the road, end of a 3 in 3, etc). In a playoff series I think London would be favoured. Up and down the lineup I think London has a stronger roster. But certainly SSM has 2 high-end forwards that could get them the win.

Comparing London to Guelph I think is where it gets even more interesting. London pre-deadline was stronger than Guelph, but they basically bought a contender. Usually that kind of strategy hasn't resulted in playoff success but it seems like their guys are gelling pretty fast. They're also a little older - one of our best forwards is only 17. Guelph is the only team with a blueline comparable to London. London might have the higher NHL draft stars but Guelph has a bunch of super effective OHL defenseman - Samuroukov (sp?) has been a beast every time I've seen him play.

I think right now I have it:
1a - Guelph
1b - London
3 - SSM
4 - Saginaw

Haven't seen enough of the teams post-deadline though so this is always subject to change.

Plus we haven't seen post-deadline London with Formenton.

 

[zman77]

 

[zman77]

Alex Formenton's excitement for return to London Knights equal to season opener

Ryan Pyette
Updated: February 7, 2019
The club plans to unleash the 19-year-old speedster in his return from injury Friday against Owen Sound, then shut him down Saturday in Saginaw. They don’t want him coming off two months of intense rehabilitation for his leg and playing three straight days.
“We’ll give him a rest just in case,” London coach Dale Hunter said, “and then he will play again Sunday (afternoon in Sault Ste. Marie).
“You want to make sure.”
“You can just see the excitement on Alex’s face all week,” London goaltender Joseph Raaymakers said. “We’re all excited. I can’t wait to see him play.”
“I’d say getting more mentally strong is one way to put it,” he said. “Not being able to play made me even more hungry to get back. I’m well rested, so it should be a great end to the season and hopefully a long playoff push.”
He will almost certainly start up front with Hancock and fellow swift-skating Liam Foudy, the Blue Jackets first rounder.
Formenton could be a big factor in Hancock’s push for the OHL scoring title. Not long ago, they were slashing at each other as Midwest Division foes. Now, they’re looking for ways to create offense together.
“He was always tough to play against,” Formenton said. “He has great vision and hands. It should be exciting playing with him.”
Alex Formenton's excitement for return to London Knights equal to season opener

 

[Knights Watcher]

Ice Dawgs lost to Missy tonight. Wonder what excuses we’re in for? Too much fog? Freezing drizzle?

 

[zman77]

Having Formenton back is huge!!

 

[zman77]

Formenton Hancock Foudy
This is the fastest line in the CHL!

 

[three dog night]

Ice Dawgs lost to Missy tonight. Wonder what excuses we’re in for? Too much fog? Freezing drizzle?

Not showing up

 

[MikeBossy14]

Formenton Hancock Foudy
This is the fastest line in the CHL!

Yeah fastest into the opposition zone, hopefully just as fast on the return to the defensive zone.

 

[zman77]

Yeah fastest into the opposition zone, hopefully just as fast on the return to the defensive zone.

Formenton makes everyone better.
His speed and energy motivates all around him.
He plays hard in all zones whether PP, PK and/or Even strength.

 

[Otto]

With the Otters loss to the Rags on Wednesday the Knights have now clinched a playoff spot.

Knights magic number in points is 11 to clinch home ice in the first round and 23 to clinch the division.

 

[Knightsfan90]

I wonder what the lines will look like tonight. My guess is Formenton takes Tymkins spot on the top line

 

[Buttsy]

Having Formenton back is huge!!

For sure and by the sounds of it he is chomping at the bit to get back. A hungry Formenton along side Hancock if even on the Power Play will help it hopefully improve. The PP can’t get much worse can it?

Amazing how lowly ranked our PP is on a team that is battling it out for first place in the OHL?

 

[GobigorGohome]

Formenton Hancock Foudy
This is the fastest line in the CHL!

Zoom Zoom.;But will the puck be able to keep up with them?

 

[Lycanthrope]

SSM has had our number lately, and I have a feeling they'll beat us again on Sunday (we don't have a great record on the road, end of a 3 in 3, etc). In a playoff series I think London would be favoured. Up and down the lineup I think London has a stronger roster. But certainly SSM has 2 high-end forwards that could get them the win.

Comparing London to Guelph I think is where it gets even more interesting. London pre-deadline was stronger than Guelph, but they basically bought a contender. Usually that kind of strategy hasn't resulted in playoff success but it seems like their guys are gelling pretty fast. They're also a little older - one of our best forwards is only 17. Guelph is the only team with a blueline comparable to London. London might have the higher NHL draft stars but Guelph has a bunch of super effective OHL defenseman - Samuroukov (sp?) has been a beast every time I've seen him play.

I think right now I have it:
1a - Guelph
1b - London
3 - SSM
4 - Saginaw

Haven't seen enough of the teams post-deadline though so this is always subject to change.

Plus we haven't seen post-deadline London with Formenton.

Your assessment makes sense to me. Honestly man, I wonder bout their goaltending. To me that could well be their Achilles’ tendon.

 

[zman77]

 

[Buttsy]

Alright 6 rather large points possible this weekend? How many do you think we get? I am thinking 4 out of 6 with a loss to Saginaw or the Soo. Formenton coming back should get us past Owen Sound however he is out for Saginaw and back for the Soo.

I still think 4 out of 6 with anything more then 4 being huge in my books?

 

[zman77]

 

[Buttsy]

1a - Guelph
1b - London
3 - SSM
4 - Saginaw

I am in agreement but Guelphs achillies heel is possibly there goaltender and although I am a big Burnett fan as a manager as a coach I think he has struggled to adapt to today's game. Even in Guelph they play like a team that has fewer systems and rely on there raw skill to win games. It's like they say in the room "Ok boys go out there and give it all you got" and they then expect to win? Probably just me but it's a feeling I get?

 

[Otto]

The way the game report from Saturday was written Tymkin OS getting 5 games... still needs official review

 

[ohloutsider]

The way the game report from Saturday was written Tymkin OS getting 5 games... still needs official review

Rick Doyle said he got 3 games - check that it is 5 games.

 

[StormWatcher]

SSM has had our number lately, and I have a feeling they'll beat us again on Sunday (we don't have a great record on the road, end of a 3 in 3, etc). In a playoff series I think London would be favoured. Up and down the lineup I think London has a stronger roster. But certainly SSM has 2 high-end forwards that could get them the win.

Comparing London to Guelph I think is where it gets even more interesting. London pre-deadline was stronger than Guelph, but they basically bought a contender. Usually that kind of strategy hasn't resulted in playoff success but it seems like their guys are gelling pretty fast. They're also a little older - one of our best forwards is only 17. Guelph is the only team with a blueline comparable to London. London might have the higher NHL draft stars but Guelph has a bunch of super effective OHL defenseman - Samuroukov (sp?) has been a beast every time I've seen him play.

I think right now I have it:
1a - Guelph
1b - London
3 - SSM
4 - Saginaw

Haven't seen enough of the teams post-deadline though so this is always subject to change.

Plus we haven't seen post-deadline London with Formenton.

Samorukov is amazing. Drafted by Edmonton.

Guelph has 11 NHL draftees and so far, 4 20-goal scorers (not including Entwistle at 19, Stevenson at 17 and Toropcheno at 14). Their strength is that they can spread scoring around. On paper they are champs, I agree that goaltending is inconsistent. I think the key will be health. Guelph has yet to dress the full post-deadline compliment. Currently Durzi, Gogolev and Hanley are out.

One thing is certain, this year's playoffs will be exciting.

*edited - 11 NHL draftees, not that it matters.

 

[StormWatcher]

I am in agreement but Guelphs achillies heel is possibly there goaltender and although I am a big Burnett fan as a manager as a coach I think he has struggled to adapt to today's game. Even in Guelph they play like a team that has fewer systems and rely on there raw skill to win games. It's like they say in the room "Ok boys go out there and give it all you got" and they then expect to win? Probably just me but it's a feeling I get?

I'm just happy Bill Stewart isn't behind the bench....

 

[LDN]

Tighten up!

 

[GobigorGohome]

Hunter finally took my advice and put Regula in front of the goalie on the PP.
Oh Regula scores in the front of the net on the PP.