Local Sports Channel

Houser Named CHL Goaltender Of The Week

Mike Stubbs — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:46:00 GMT

The awards are starting to pile up for Michael Houser. The latest doesn't come with a trophy, but it does give the OHL's Most Outstanding Player and Goaltender of the Year more recognition. Houser has been named CHL Goaltender of the Week after helping the London Knights to their 2nd OHL Championship. The Wexford, PA native posted a Goals Againast Average of 1.33 and save percentage of .956 in games 3 through 5 of the OHL Championship Series.

The Knights head for Shawinigan on Wednesday and will play their first game at the Memorial Cup on Saturday against Saint John. All Knights' games can be heard on NewsTalk 1290.

Majors Go The Extra Mile For Mom

Mike Stubbs — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:48:00 GMT

After a tough loss in Guelph, the London Majors returned home on Mother's Day and beat Burlington 6-5 in extra innings. Majors' catcher Tyler Graham hit an RBI walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th to score Steve Froese. Mike Henry picked up the win in relief. Henry entered the game in the 6th inning and struck out five while only allowing 3 hits over 5 innings. Graham and Adwin Springer each had two RBIs on the day for the Majors who improve to 1-1 in the IBL.

London will host Brantford on Friday, May 18th at 7:30 at Labatt Park.

Majors Drop First Game Of Season

Mike Stubbs — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:00:00 GMT

The night started well for the London Majors as they opened their season Saturday in Guelph. It didn't end that way. London scored three runs in the second inning, but couldn't stop an avalanche that followed from the Royals as Guelph defeated the Majors 10-3. Jeremy Ware had a 4 RBI day for the Royals. Ryan Hart took the loss for London, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings. Bryan Boudreau picked up the win for Guelph.

Champions!

Mike Stubbs — Sat, 12 May 2012 04:37:00 GMT

In front of a relentless 9046 fans at the John Labatt Centre, the London Knights captured the 2012 OHL Championship on Friday night with a 2-1 win over the Niagara Ice Dogs. The game was tight. The game was defensive and through more than a period and a half, the game was scoreless.

At 12:34 of the second period, Scott Harrington threw a puck into the feet of Niagara goalie, Mark Visentin who lost sight of it long enough for Austin Watson to poke it home to give London a 1-0 lead.

In the third period, Niagara defenseman Luke Mercer fell, creating a 2 on 1 for Vladislav Namestnikov and Seth Griffith. Griffith took the pass and beat Visentin to make it 2-0 Knights at 1:48.

Niagara wouldn't tighten the game on a goalline scramble, as Tom Kuhnhackl pushed a puck into the London net at 7:53.

From there, London was able to shut down the Ice Dogs and hang on to win their second championship in franchise history.

The Knights have advanced to the Memorial Cup in Shawinigan and will play there first game on Saturday, May 19th.

Austin Watson was named playoff MVP.

NewsTalk 1290 will have full coverage live from Shawinigan.

City Draws To Start Year

Mike Stubbs — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:00:00 GMT

London City has declared this a year in transition. Judging by their start on Friday night, they are headed in the right direction. While the players will come away thinking about what could have been, a 2-2 draw against the Serbian White Eagles proved that City can play.

After the White Eagles opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, Ranko Golijanin netted the equalizer before halftime.

In the second half, Mike Marcoccia scored to give City a 2-1 lead, which held until the 80th minute when the White Eagles tied it.

London City opens their home schedule on Friday, May 18th at TD Waterhouse Stadium at 8:30PM.

All-Star Nods For Three London Knights

Mike Stubbs — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:41:00 GMT

The Ontario Hockey League has unveiled its All-Star teams for 2012. Michael Houser and Scott Harrington of the London Knights join Michael Sgarbossa of Sudbury, Brandon Saad of Saginaw, Tyler Toffoli of the Ottawa 67s and Dougie Hamilton of Niagara on the first team.

Seth Griffith of the Knights was named to the second team.

For the full list, please visit... 2012 OHL All-Stars

The Knights Come Home One Win Away

Mike Stubbs — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:35:00 GMT

On May 12, 2005, the London Knights defeated the Ottawa 67s 4-1. They boarded a charter flight home with a chance to win a championship. They made good two nights later winning their first OHL title. On Wednesday, London defeated the Niagara Ice Dogs 4-1 at the Jack Gatecliffe Arena in St. Catherines and have returned home with a chance to win again. Ryan Rupert, Vladislav Namestnikov and Chris Tierney pushed London out to a 3-0 lead after the first two periods and Michael Houser made 23 saves through the first 40 minutes.

In the third, the Ice Dogs scored at 6:23 on a shot that pinballed off the leg of Myes Doan, but Matt Rupert restored London's 3-goal lead and the Knights were able to hang on for the win.

Niagara ended up outshooting the Knights 37-21.

Late in the game, Brett Ritchie hit London defenseman Olli Maata behind the play. Maata went to the bench as time expired. He will be evaluated on Thursday. There was no penalty called on the play.

Game 5 will be played at the John Labatt Centre on Friday night starting at 7PM. Broadcast time on NewsTalk 1290 will be 6PM.

Western Football Says Goodbye to Tyler Varga

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:40:00 GMT

The Western Mustangs are saying goodbye to Tyler Varga.

Varga, who was named the 2011 CIS rookie of the year, has decided he won't be returning to the the football program for the 2012 season.

Head coach Greg Marshall says - "We respect Tyler’s decision not to return to the Mustangs. There is no question that Tyler is an outstanding young man. He has demonstrated his talent and skills at the highest levels as both an athlete and student here at Western,"

Marshall went on to say his contributions to the program are appreciated, and they wish him the very best.

The Knights Win Game Three

Mike Stubbs — Tue, 08 May 2012 01:37:00 GMT

In front of a noisy 9046 fans at the John Labatt Centre, the London Knights became the first team to win on home ice in the 2012 OHL Championship series. Chris Tierney won a big faceoff with under four minutes left in the third period and then tipped home an Olli Maata point shot to put the Knights ahead for the first time in the game, 3-2.

From there, the London Knights held on, getting help from a Steven Shipley penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the game to take a 2-1 series lead.

Max Domi and Austin Watson scored the other goals for London. Brett Ritchie and Freddie Hamilton scored the goals for Niagara.

The Knights held Niagara to 27 shots while they put 35 pucks on the Ice Dogs' net.

Game 4 is in Niagara on Wednesday at 7PM. Broadcast time on NewsTalk 1290 is 6:30.

Game 5 will be played Friday night at the John Labatt Centre at 7PM. Tickets at 519-681-0800, at Gate 4 or the Knights' Armouries (souvenir shop) or online at www.londonknights.com

London Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for 2012

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:33:00 GMT

A ceremony held this morning announced the inductees into the London Sports Hall of Fame.

They will be formally honoured at the annual Spirit of Sport and Hall of Fame induction event in November.

There are ten on the list:

Ken Buchan- the city's best known curler, the late Don Cline- basketball referee, Earl Ross - stock car racing great, Don Getty-Beck, Western, and Edmonton football great, Larry Haylor, former Western football coach, the late Shawn Tompkins - legendary martial arts competitor and coach, Western's 1991 Canadian men's basketball champs, Jason Tunks- Olympic and World Champion discus competitor, Lady Lilian Ottaway Beck - noted early 1900s equestrian, and Ian Sinclair - Laurie Secondary School, University of Miami and BC Lions' star.

This year's inductees will join the more than 50 individual and team members whose plaques are on display in the Dundas Street concourse of the JLC.