Knights Kick Off Season with Overtime Win

Cooper Mc Aslan thought his timely first goal in the Ontario Hockey League was well-deserved.

The London defenceman was not happy about Windsor’s disputed equalizer that came with just 13.6 seconds remaining in regulation. He responded by scoring a beautiful tip-in with just 13.5 seconds left in overtime, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Knights in their season opener, played before 9,061 fans at Canada Life Place on Friday.

“I didn’t like how that call went,” the 17-year-old blue-liner expressed. “It happens. The refs make their calls. We just have to deal with it. We were really eager to win this game.”

The Knights supporters booed when referee Jordan Hurtubise called a goal after Spitfires Bogdan Yakushevsky, Ethan Garden, and Johnny Mc Laughlin scrambled for the puck in front of the London net. Rookie goaltender Charlie Weiss was taken aback when, after an extensive review, Yakushevsky’s goal was confirmed.

“I thought I had it covered,” said the confused 17-year-old goalie. “Even watching the replay, they kept pushing on my pad.”

The Knights learned that the puck had remained loose, allowing Windsor’s players to enter the crease to chase it down. The referee informed coach Dale Hunter that the puck was still moving and one of the Spitfires’ sticks got caught under Weiss’s leg.

London challenged but lost it, leading to a two-minute delay of game penalty.

“I think Charlie’s pad would’ve been pushed back,” noted Knights assistant coach Rick Steadman. “His heel was stuck on the post and he couldn’t move it anywhere. We believed there was enough evidence there. But our guys really stepped up afterward.

“They fought hard during that 4-on-3 situation in overtime and managed to score.”

On their side, the Spits were baffled that London even got a chance to challenge the call made on ice.

“We didn’t have any video (feed) throughout the game,” commented Windsor coach Greg Walters. “At the start of the third (period), we were told no video available. Then suddenly with 13 seconds left, they had video and London gets a review.

“It wasn’t working (the whole game), so we couldn’t challenge anything (before). They pushed our guy in (Cohen Bidgood appeared to shove Ethan Garden from behind during the scrum), but we couldn’t see that because there was no video.”

Walters commended Knights’ penalty kill for shutting down Windsor’s power play across five chances, including a critical 5-on-3 early in third period.

“They blocked many shots,” he stated. “We could’ve won right then and there if not for them.”

GREAT DEBUT: Weiss will always remember his first OHL match.

Last year he played U18 AAA hockey in Vaughan, and on Friday night he faced off against Windsor’s skilled goaltender Michael Newlove. The Knights’ management decided just days prior to start him and he rose to occasion when London needed him most.

“I had an excellent summer,” said Weiss from Thunder Bay. “If I play like I know I can, anything is possible.”

Standing at six feet two inches tall and weighing 170 pounds, he’s from an area known for producing professional goaltenders in Northern Ontario. He traveled to Toronto over summer months to train with Franky Palazzese of Barrie Colts’ goalie coaching staff while his parents flew in this weekend specifically for this game.

It had everything you could ask for.

“It’s wild,” he remarked about his debut win.

IMPORT STORY: Finnish rookie forward Luca Santala dressed as London’s sole import on Friday night and is projected as a potential first-round pick in the upcoming NHL draft of 2027.

Maksim Sokolovskii remains with Flyers while Marcus Nordmark is still at Ducks camp; Linus Funck has already been traded from London and debuted with Oshawa Generals on Friday against Brampton.

Additionally, London retains rights to Juho Piiparinen-a highly sought-after Finnish defenceman who was selected by Vegas as their first-round pick (29th overall) last June-who also entered into import draft this past summer being chosen second round (101st overall). He’s recognized as valuable right-shot defender.
His future will be intriguing if he doesn’t make Vegas roster upon first attempt since each OHL team can only have three imports registered within their lineup.

“We currently have three solid imports on our roster,” said Rob Simpson who serves as associate GM for London. “When players see us achieve success , enjoy playing here every day knowing we’re committed , parents appreciate our presence which creates an environment conducive toward achieving success & enjoyment during time spent here.”

AROUND THE RINK:Forward Ryan Brown (Dallas) along with Aleksei Medvedev(Canucks) continue training alongside respective NHL squads. Meanwhile , Spitfires missed Caden Harvey(Oilers) plus defensemen Andrew Robinson(Oilers) & big man Conor Walton(Golden Knights).. Recently acquired defenseman Jonathan Kapageridis scored once while assisting another during debut performance & Cohen Bidgood played strongly netting decisive goal late third period – until things changed.. Grady Spicer(Windsor)dropped gloves against London’s Brody Leet marking season’s initial bout. Leet aged19 hails from Hamilton having been drafted by Peterborough during thirteenth round last year splitting previous campaign between Milton Menace(ojhl)& Caledonia Corvairs(gojl). “We sought players willing stand up support teammates” commented Rob Simpson adding “Leet fits description perfectly”.. Before opener , Knights adjusted lineup trading away Jackson Marthaler(defenseman going Oshawa receiving Barrie’s fourth-round pick(2030)) alongside Geno Carcone(overager shipped Brampton acquiring Brampton’s fourth-round pick(2030)). Marthaler aged18 previously spent two seasons within U. S national team development program based out Plymouth-Michigan; he’s secured commitment towards attending University Minnesota-Duluth next year…Carcone dedicated three years competing USHLGreen Bay Gamblers before signing deal knights late summertide.”Decision stemmed primarily providing better opportunity” said Simpson.”Our roster shifted since arrival hence does not wish restrict geno especially seeking scholarship while preserving high stakes involved.. moves grant enhanced chances towards fulfilling objectives.”.. Knights now possess vacant overage position needing filling.. Lastly tribute paid long-serving Canada Life employee Bill Den Harder who passed September fifth; enjoyed ongoing banter among Free Press scribes “Remember spelling B-I-L-L w/ double Ls whenever mentioned !” Godspeed, Billy D.

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OPENING KNIGHT

Knights :3 ; Spitfires :2 OT

Goals scored by London : Jonathan Kapageridis ; Cohen Bidgood ; Cooper Mc Aslan Windsor: Drake Gram ; Bogdan Yakushevsky Next Matchup Scheduled For Saturday @7 :05 PM @ WFCU Centre.

GAME SUMMARY

Friday Night Action At Canada Life Place

First Period Scoring Activity: No goals recorded. Penalties – Garden , Wsr(tripping )4 :29; Dubowsky, Wsr , Harmer, Ldn(Roughing )9 :12; Garden, Wsr(Holding )9:30.

Second Period Goal Information: 1. London, Kapageridis1(Zocco , Harmer )10:28(PP) Penalties- Van Gorp, Ldn(tripping)0:51; Brown, Wsr(Holding )10:24 ; Spicer, Wsr ; Leet, Ldn(Fighting )13:19; Kesler, Ldn(Head Check)13:51; London, Bench(Too Many Men Served By Le Gallic )19:09. Garden, Wsr(Roughing ); Vandeven, Ldn(Double Minor Roughing)20 :00.

Third Period Events: Windsor, Graham1(Cristoforo, Brocklehurst )12:13 London, Bidgood1(Van Gorp, Kapageridis )18 :30 Windsor, Yakushevsky1(Mc Laughlin, Garden ) 19 :46 Penalty-London, Bench(delay Of Game Served By Zakharov)(19:46).

O. T Summary : London, Mcaslan1(Barch, Vangorp)(4:46) Penalties – None Shots On Goal Stats : Wrs7 |8 |5| | | Ldn7 |6 |4| | | Goaltenders Performance Review: Newlove WSR(L0-1) Weiss LDN(W1-0) Power Play Results WRS0-5LDN1-3. Referee Assignments Include Harrison & Hurtubise along With Linesmen Perry And Horan. Attendance Recorded At Nine Thousand Sixty-One Fans Present During Game Time Analysis! Star Performers Noticed are listed below : • Cooper Mc Aslan(Knights); Cohen Bidgood(Knights); Michael Newlove(Spitfire)

Ryan Pyette began reporting sports news back In Two Thousand One covering local/national events winning several accolades attending Olympics Memorial Cups World Championships International Competitions rooted originating Sault Ste Marie.

rpyette@postmedia. com

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