London Knights 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Knightsfan90]

Light Flores up like a Christmas tree

 

[ArielNederland]

Embarrassing first period. I guess nerves? But the fact that we're losing and outshot by niagara is mindblowing

 

[Londoner Knight]

"Campaign campaign".......my God, it's going to be another long campaign, "check that", season with Sloanie and Doylie.

 

[LDN]

Embarrassing first period. I guess nerves? But the fact that we're losing and outshot by niagara is mindblowing

They didn’t take it seriously

 

[ArielNederland]

Did they change the rule where teams have to kill the entire penalty even if they get scored on?

 

[ArielNederland]

Been a much better period imo. Van bommel had some nice shifts. O'Reilly likes to really drive the net

 

[Snshwywhshsyww]

.

 

[Fastpace]

This was an excellent game, by both teams, that's how winners are built, by playing close games. First game of the season, we saw everything tonight except for fighting, great passes, great saves, great defensive plays, they were all nice goals. London will not have any problem winning games this year after what we've seen so far through pre-season and this first game, Offence start from playing defensive hockey, and this is what we're seeing from this team early in the season. I also have to mention the graet effort shown by the Ice Dogs tonight, this team will surprise a lot of teams this year. Great game ! Cheers !

 

[LDN]

This was an excellent game, by both teams, that's how winners are built, by playing close games. First game of the season, we saw everything tonight except for fighting, great passes, great saves, great defensive plays, they were all nice goals. London will not have any problem winning games this year after what we've seen so far through pre-season and this first game, Offence start from playing defensive hockey, and this is what we're seeing from this team early in the season. I also have to mention the graet effort shown by the Ice Dogs tonight, this team will surprise a lot of teams this year. Great game ! Cheers !

Need to bring it to win in their barn!

 

[Knights Watcher]

Good to get that first win. The league shouldn't sleep on this Niagara team. They are quick and Flores is playing well. Should be a great game tomorrow. Congrats to the team for a gritty win. Going to be a great sesson.

 

[LDN]

https://x.com/petes_updates/status/1707930174791061644?s=46&t=Xn96b9FkgwRvd20dx_7rpA

Congrats to Zach

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Wilmore is actually from St Thomas

You are the second person to point this out, but the OHL site as well as Hockey DB have him listed as from London. So not sure what’s going on there, but either way. Local kid!

Owen Willmore Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Owen Willmore, a hockey player from London, ONT born Dec 14 2004 who was active from 2021 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Good game tonight, Simpson was strong to start when the team struggled to find their legs, only shot to beat him was a bar down snipe by Paris.

Once they found their legs though, London was the better team, played a good physical game as well.

Need to get some chemistry up front to score more goals, but that will come.

 

[Knightsfan90]

Once cowan comes back we will see this team settle down start to gel

 

[Fastpace]

LOGAN MAILLOUX SHOCKER!

Surprised surprise! Just watched Montreal coach Martin St. Louis interview, he's really pleased with Mailloux's play right now, Mailloux played the most of both teams tonight in the 2-1 loss to Toronto, he says he's fighting for the number six seat on the team defense. He has progressively impressed from day one, some analysts (Guy Carbonneau & Gaston Therrien) are saying he could push Justin Barron for the six place on the team right now. What a pleasant surprise to see him doing so well. I still think he's going to need some AHL games, but what do I know

PS. Easton Cowan did not play tonight

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Rough game to watch, the chemistry and familiarity is off and to be expected. Once this team gels they will roll but meanwhile it will be tough.

 

[M21]

The ingredients are there. Just need a little time to gel. Grind out the wins until then. There is a lot of talent on this team.

 

[zman77]

London Knights edge Niagara to begin 2023-24 regular season​

By Mike Stubbs 980 CFPL
Posted September 29, 2023 10:56 pm
Sam O’Reilly’s first-ever Ontario Hockey League goal stood up as the game winner as the London Knights defeated the Niagara IceDogs 2-1 at Budweiser Gardens on Sept. 29.
London got through a hard charge by Niagara to begin the game and locked up the IceDogs late to pick up Dale Hunter’s 902nd career win. The Knights head coach is now just six wins behind the late Bert Templeton for second place in all-time OHL coaching victories.
The first period was highlighted by 19 saves from new London goaltender Michael Simpson.
The only shot that got by Simpson came off the stick of former Knight Mathieu Paris. Paris snapped a shot into the London net at the 3:02 mark of the game to make it 1-0 IceDogs.
San Jose Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen tied the game on a power play at 15:36 of the first period as Denver Barkey slid a no-look pass to Halttunen and he fired a shot from a very sharp angle past former Knight Owen Flores in the Niagara net.

London Knights edge Niagara to begin 2023-24 regular season - London | Globalnews.ca

London goaltender Michael Simpson stopped 34 shots as the Knights earned an opening night victory.

globalnews.ca

 

[Fergus31]

"Campaign campaign".......my God, it's going to be another long campaign, "check that", season with Sloanie and Doylie.

I’m glad I caved and picked up a season seat this year. Won’t have to watch that telecast lol.

Simpson saved the game in the first period. London played better after that.

Dale900 pushes the right buttons - Johnston moved up with McCue and O’Reilly and helps create the winning goal.

Dickinson was very good.

Might have to grind out low scoring wins until the offence sorts itself out internally or otherwise.

 

[rve24]

Looked like an early season game.
Bad giveaway between the blues n no gap control allowed Paris to walk in and he beat Simpson. I think the 2 skaters involved get a video session there. Simpson probly wants it back also.
Not surprised with the NIA push to start.
I'll give it a month to let things settle down but wasn't impressed with a couple Fs, others yup but only 1 game.

 

[Ken Yates]

Zero chemistry with Knights Friday. Its early but wow we looked like we had no practices. Only Simpson gets a gold star. Cowan on that top line will make a difference.

 

[nelli27]

Simpson looked great. I really like Halttunen's game, not just a sniper with that heavy shot, also playmaking ability. Remember that no look, thread the needle, backhand pass to Bonk? I expected a better effort on opening "k" night but realise these early games still have the feel of pre-season.

 

[LDN]

Not worried about the offence yet. Give them a few weeks

 

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

I will reserve my thoughts until game 20

 

[rve24]

I will reserve my thoughts until game 20

Exactly.
Obviously the D is ahead of the F group as far as total skill and more important positionally but it'll take time. 1 of 5 loses their spot the whole group looks bad trying to cover.