Photo from @GamedayLondonON
The London Knights have now lost three games in a row. Since the overtime victory against Windsor on March 4th, the team has been in a straight downfall. In those three games, the Knights have put up some of their worst defensive showings of the season.
Toughening up on the defensive end will be the key to returning from this slump. Only a few defensive players were close to breaking even on the plus-minus statistic in the three losses. For a team that is as talented as the Knights are, allowing 18 goals in 3 games is unacceptable. It is not hard to believe the team is in a losing streak when it seems the opponents can score at will.
Defenseman Connor Federkow has been one of the players that have struggled most in the past three losses. Federkow was -5 in the games and failed to register a point. He also has been reckless with getting multiple penalties that, in turn, eventually led to goals. For the Knights to rebound, he will need to clean up his performance and limit the power-play opportunities he gives the other team. Rookie Defenseman Isaiah George is also struggling as he was -4 in the three losses. An improvement by those players on the defensive side of the ice should help the Knights get back on track.
Unfortunately, the schedule is not giving any assistance to the Knights. They play the Flint Firebirds next. Flint is currently first in the Western Conference. They have won over 60 percent of their games and are the highest-scoring team in the league, tallying 224 goals so far this season. This matchup could not come at a worse time for the Knights. But, a statement win against Flint would end the streak and hopefully right the current problems. If the Knights fail to win, the road ahead will not be easier for them. They then would play Sarnia, a team that has been a thorn in the Knights side this regular season. This game should be seen as a must-win for London, or things could worsen before they get better.
The game starts tonight at 7:30 pm at Budweiser Gardens in London, ON.
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