London Knights 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 6)

[Buttsy]

But I keep hearing this team lacks talent.

They lack the traditional “Big Gun” that typically most teams have 1 or 2 of. This is what makes this years TEAM so much fun to watch. I agree 100% with you overall this is an extremely talented TEAM.
I think regardless of what happens from here on out this may be the finest Dale Hunter (plus staff) job of coaching he has exhibited in his long and amazing Knights coaching career.

 

[rve24]

They lack the traditional “Big Gun” that typically most teams have 1 or 2 of. This is what makes this years TEAM so much fun to watch. I agree 100% with you overall this is an extremely talented TEAM.
I think regardless of what happens from here on out this may be the finest Dale Hunter (plus staff) job of coaching he has exhibited in his long and amazing Knights coaching career.

Ya, I forgot to add that althou they dont have a top 5 or 10 scoring F to my post.
Talent isn't just 100pt season.
Yes Dale n staff have done a great job. But I also will defer to the players, they have had to execute. Group has bought in n believed in each other.

 

[Buttsy]

Ya, I forgot to add that althou they dont have a top 5 or 10 scoring F to my post.
Talent isn't just 100pt season.
Yes Dale n staff have done a great job. But I also will defer to the players, they have had to execute. Group has bought in n believed in each other.

When they traded for Diaco you could really see them start to understand it’s “all men on board” so to speak. It’s been a real experience to watch them gel. Fingers crossed they have 1 more best of seven win left in them. The Western Conference Championship is a great achievement but the OHL Championship means you will be remembered forever. I’m super stoked to watch them play Peterborough and even though it will be a series to remember I just can’t bet against this group! GO KNIGHTS GO.
Is it just me (?) but I really feel bad for BB, as an overage player and he was playing so incredibly well. I hope he at least gets to a point where he can if nothing else at least dress as the backup?

 

[ohloutsider]

Oct 11
LDN Gerard Keane MISS 12 '23 NIAG A. Leonard NB 3rd' 23 MISS 2 '26

HAM George Diaco
LDN LDN 3 '23, WSR 2 '24
Add the Dickinson deal (Loved that deal from the first moment, a future top 2/3 D in the league....JMO)

Moving Keane basically for Diaco n Leonard was deft. Also freed up big minutes for a solid D to grow together n an OA spot.

Adding Winterton n Humphrey ( was this a 2nd part to the Diaco deal? Just that both teams gad to wait....Hhhhmmmm )

2 top 6 Fs, a 3rd line F and a probable allstar D....

Stupid me wanted Harrison as well lol. ( still wouldn't have been upset if MH made tgat happen but......worked out great WS "outbid Lon on 2 Fs (allegedly) blew a ton of assets doing so and......

You didn't mention Testa your first round pick went in the Winterton trade.

 

[rve24]

You didn't mention Testa your first round pick went in the Winterton trade.

Correct they did move Testa and correct I didnt mention it. Didn't mention the 2nds n 3rds they moved for Dickinson either.
Gotta pay to play. And London has never been shy to step away from a 1st rd pick early if it isn't a fit n they seem to move on just fine.
I only broke down the one day deals that set the tone for the year ( bringing a home town top 6 OAF into the loop, adding a toughish 2 yr D for a redundant OA D.....but I think the Winterton/Humphrey deal was, set then as well at least in principle JMO)
Just didn't want to post every trade details.
I'd do both trades again in hindsight and was more than OK when they made the deals. ( posted here)
I was high on Testa (that'll learn me lol, I went with a couple others POV. 2 people I don't always see eye to eye with on players (they know more than me lol) but they had seen him live a mittful of times, I had not. It seemed obvious here in Lon early on, something wasn't a great fit for Testa. No blame on either side. No idea what it was but probly better for him to get a fresh start. Hopefully he goes on to crush it next year.

 

[LDN]

Anyone hear anything about draft picks signing?

 

[Fastpace]

They lack the traditional “Big Gun” that typically most teams have 1 or 2 of. This is what makes this years TEAM so much fun to watch. I agree 100% with you overall this is an extremely talented TEAM.
I think regardless of what happens from here on out this may be the finest Dale Hunter (plus staff) job of coaching he has exhibited in his long and amazing Knights coaching career.

This team is very much built like the 2011-12 team version that went on to the Memorial Cup final and it was coached by Mark Hunter as Dale was Washington head coach that season. Houser was their overage goalie, they brought in Austin Watson Greg McKegg and Kyle Flemington and Olli Maatta was the rookie sensational defenseman of the year. They were surprising everyone by winning championships and were very reminisent to this version they have right now !!!

 

[Knightsfan90]

Anyone hear anything about draft picks signing?

After playoffs should see some come in

 

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

For goodness sakes at least make sure you have your teeth in. Nothing worse then an irate old man missing his teeth!

still got all my own chompers

 

[LDN]

Which former Knight do you want to see won the cup?

Domi (Dallas)
Marner (Toronto)
Tavares (Toronto)
Tkachuck (Florida)
Bouchard (Edmonton)

Did I miss anyone?

 

[Fastpace]

Which former Knight do you want to see won the cup?

Domi (Dallas)
Marner (Toronto)
Tavares (Toronto)
Tkachuck (Florida)
Bouchard (Edmonton)

Did I miss anyone?

Any of them will do but because Toronto has two former Knights I cheers for Toronto first, next because I want the Stanley Cup back home in Canada Edmonton would be my next favorite. Tthen I'll be ok to see either Domi or Tkachuk win it. My first priority for me it is to see it here in Canada. Cheers !!

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Marner then Bouch then Tkachuck

But looks like Tkachuck has the best dds at the moment

 

[LDN]

Marner then Bouch then Tkachuck

But looks like Tkachuck has the best dds at the moment

Tkachuck vs Domi final?! Or Marner/Tavares vs Bouch

 

[ohloutsider]

Correct they did move Testa and correct I didnt mention it. Didn't mention the 2nds n 3rds they moved for Dickinson either.
Gotta pay to play. And London has never been shy to step away from a 1st rd pick early if it isn't a fit n they seem to move on just fine.
I only broke down the one day deals that set the tone for the year ( bringing a home town top 6 OAF into the loop, adding a toughish 2 yr D for a redundant OA D.....but I think the Winterton/Humphrey deal was, set then as well at least in principle JMO)
Just didn't want to post every trade details.
I'd do both trades again in hindsight and was more than OK when they made the deals. ( posted here)
I was high on Testa (that'll learn me lol, I went with a couple others POV. 2 people I don't always see eye to eye with on players (they know more than me lol) but they had seen him live a mittful of times, I had not. It seemed obvious here in Lon early on, something wasn't a great fit for Testa. No blame on either side. No idea what it was but probly better for him to get a fresh start. Hopefully he goes on to crush it next year.

I pointed it out as it was mentioned that London did not make any moves this year to go into the playoffs. Obviously not as many moves as Windsor but London did move a few high picks and players to help in their run. Nothing wrong with what they did and it certainly helping but as you say you have to pay if you want to play. Nobody gets to the Ohl final without some well placed moves.

 

[Fastpace]

I pointed it out as it was mentioned that London did not make any moves this year to go into the playoffs. Obviously not as many moves as Windsor but London did move a few high picks and players to help in their run. Nothing wrong with what they did and it certainly helping but as you say you have to pay if you want to play. Nobody gets to the Ohl final without some well placed moves.

It is the high paid prices for getting new helpers that makes the deference here, or the overall total going the other way accompagning the already high propects cost

 

[nelli27]

Which former Knight do you want to see won the cup?

Domi (Dallas)
Marner (Toronto)
Tavares (Toronto)
Tkachuck (Florida)
Bouchard (Edmonton)

Did I miss anyone?

I want to see Marner win the Cup, but I certainly do NOT want to see Tavares! Lol!

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Which former Knight do you want to see won the cup?

Domi (Dallas)
Marner (Toronto)
Tavares (Toronto)
Tkachuck (Florida)
Bouchard (Edmonton)

Did I miss anyone?

Forgot a few!
Former Knight of 1 preseason game - Jesper Bratt! (NJ)
Or Maple Leaf legend with 11 games played - Victor Mete
Double Knight - Paul Cotter (VGK)


I am just grinding your gears though, you nailed the big ones that matter!

 

[tjziel]

This team is very much built like the 2011-12 team version that went on to the Memorial Cup final and it was coached by Mark Hunter as Dale was Washington head coach that season. Houser was their overage goalie, they brought in Austin Watson Greg McKegg and Kyle Flemington and Olli Maatta was the rookie sensational defenseman of the year. They were surprising everyone by winning championships and were very reminisent to this version they have right now !!!

That’s what I’ve said all playoffs. This is the 2012 team.

 

[Otto]

 

[sbpointer]

It's me I was one of the doubters.
This is one of the coolest parts of being a fan of junior hockey. These guys were supposed to be not quite ready but they added some character to the room and the kids play for each other.
How can you not like this group...

 

[Blairwitch58]

So glad to see Bouchard now as top two defense in Edmonton. If Conner wasn't there he could be captain.

 

[Fastpace]

That’s what I’ve said all playoffs. This is the 2012 team.

Check my posts, have been saying it since early December ! We are fortunate to see two well balanced teams in eleven years . Cheers !!

 

[Fastpace]

Sometime in October I had written them off for this year, couldn't see any team structure or system from this bunch of players. Then when Mailloux came back we slowly started to see some signs creeping in but still have a lot of doubt and when they went and got Ryan Del Monte bring in a lot of speed following up with Diaco adding more speed with leadership, this team started to show personality. And as the year was moving on so were the development progress of young players. They started to show signs of gelling and it got there with the arrivals of Humphrey and Winterton. Cheers !!!

 

[Otto]

Any of them will do but because Toronto has two former Knights I cheers for Toronto first, next because I want the Stanley Cup back home in Canada Edmonton would be my next favorite. Tthen I'll be ok to see either Domi or Tkachuk win it. My first priority for me it is to see it here in Canada. Cheers !!

Because every player gets their day with the cup, if you truly want the Cup in Canada then you should be pulling for Vegas as 22 of their rostered players are from Canada, Florida is next with 17, then Edmonton with 16 and then Toronto & Seattle each have 13

 

[Otto]

London vs. Peterborough Tale of the tape



Season Record:

London 45-21-2-0 2nd place Western Conference

Peterborough 35-29-2-2 4th place Eastern Conference

Season Series: Tied 1-1

How they got here:
London wins 4-0 vs Owen Sound
London wins 4-1 vs. Kitchener
London Wins 4-2 vs. Sarnia

Peterborough wins 4-0 vs. Sudbury
Peterborough wins 4-2 vs. Ottawa
Peterborough wins 4-3 vs. North Bay

Top Point producers Regular season:

London – McGurn 27g 56a 83pts

Diaco – 28g 48a 76pts

Barkey -22g 37a 59pts

Peterborough - Robertson 36g 54a 90pts

Lockhart 29g 50a 79pts

Hayes 43g 34a 77pts

Top point producers playoffs:

London - Winterton 11g 11a 22pts

McGurn 7g 15a 22pts

Barkey 9g 12a 21pts


Peterborough - Othmann 7g 13a 20pts

Beck 6g 7a 13pts

Lockhart 6g 7a 13pts

Robertson 5g 8a 13pts

Goalies Playoff Stats

London- Brochu 9-1 1.48 GAA 0.943 sav %

Bowen 3-2 3.50 GAA 0.881 sav %

Peterborough - Simpson 12-5 2.79 GAA 0.912 sav %

Special Teams Regular season

Powerplay: London 21.3% (10th) Peterborough 21.7% (9th)

Penalty kill: London 78.9% (6th) Peterborough 81.3% (5th)

Special teams Playoffs

Powerplay: London 27.5% (3rd) Peterborough 10.6% (14th)

Penalty kill: London 75.5% (11th) Peterborough 89.4% (2nd)


Playoff History – Peterborough leads 3-1

1968-69 London lost quarterfinal 8 points to 4
1969-70 London won quarterfinal 8 points to 4
1972-73 London loses semi-final 9 points to 5
2005-06 London loses OHL Final 4 games to 0