McGurn’s three-point night leads London over Hamilton in OHL preseason – London | The Canadian News

The London Knights built up the offense Tuesday on their way to a 7-2 win at Hamilton.

Sean McGurn has taken on a veteran role on a young Knights roster and led the way with one goal and two assists against the Bulldogs. McGurn found Denver Barkey on the side of the net with a two-man lead just 1:21 in the opening period for the game’s first goal and later in the opening period, he converted a Barkey pass for his second goal. of the previous one. season.

McGurn had just 38 games of experience in the Ontario Hockey League in 2019-20 before the COViD-19 pandemic brought the season to a halt, but he learned a few tricks from veterans he played on a team that had gotten into position to try. . win a championship.

McGurn showed one of those tricks in the second period when he held a puck at the blue line and in one move found forward Liam Gilmartin behind Hamilton’s defense. Gilmartin made a backhand move and beat Marco Costantini at the Hamilton net.

That goal came 12 seconds after the Bulldogs cut London’s lead to 4-2 and basically ended whatever momentum Hamilton had created.

London scored goals in the third period from Stu Rolofs and Easton Cowan, who scored twice on the night moving the Knights’ preseason record to two wins and two losses. Both victories have come on tour.

Ben Bujold, London’s 2020 first-round pick, left the game in the third period after colliding knee-to-knee with Londoner Liam Van Loon on Hamilton’s blue line.

The Knights edged the Bulldogs 31-28. Matt Onuska made 26 saves at the net for London.

Back from the greats

Bryce Montgomery, Ben Roger and Max McCue have returned from NHL training camps. Montgomery was in Carolina, Roger was with the Ottawa Senators, and McCue had been in San Jose. McCue says it was strange at first walking into a dressing room and finding Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson walking, but that quickly disappeared. “Eventually, you throw the puck in the corner,” says McCue, “and it’s them you have to fight to get it.”

Roger admits he’s looking forward to playing London again.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been able to wear the Knights uniform, so we’re excited to come back and get going.”

Looking good in blue, white and red

The last two goals that Christian Dvorak participated in in green and gold were quite important. One tied the 2016 Memorial Cup final 2-2 and the other won the game in overtime, making the Knights Memorial Cup champions for the second time.

Dvorak made some noise in his preseason debut for the Montreal Canadiens on Sept. 27 when he scored once and assisted on three more goals in a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dvorak was acquired by Montreal from the Arizona Coyotes almost instantly after the Canadiens decided not to match an offer sheet for Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Making london official

Londoner Carter Sandlak was one of two umpires who officiated the game between the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens on September 27 in Montreal. Sandlak is the son of former Knight Jim Sandlak and played for Belleville and Plymouth at OHL before spending four seasons on AHL and ECHL.

Londoner and former gentleman Tommy Hughes was on the striped ice in Hamilton, Ontario. as one of two linesmen for the game between his former team and the host Bulldogs. Hughes was part of consecutive OHL Knights championships in 2012 and 2013. He played professionally for Hartford and Hershey of the American Hockey League and also spent time in the ECHL with South Carolina and even played 55 games in Great Britain with the Panthers of Nottigham.

Until next time

Two preseason games remain for the Knights. They will be in Barrie on Thursday, September 30 (before the game at 7:00 on 980cfpl.ca) when London face the Colts for the second time in a week. The Knights will close their show schedule on Friday, October 1 against Hamilton. A total of 4,500 fans will be allowed inside Budweiser Gardens before the game. All fans will be required to follow established event protocols. here.

Coverage of Friday’s game will begin at 7:00 a.m. http://www.980cfpl.ca.