Evan Van Gorp facilitated three goals and Aleksei Medvedev successfully blocked 37 of 38 attempts as the London Knights defeated the Flint Firebirds with a 4-1 victory in Flint, Michigan, on December 29. This victory marks London’s fourth consecutive win and brought an end to the Firebirds’ five-game winning streak. At the halfway point of the Knights’ 2024-25 schedule, they lead the OHL standings with 28 wins and six losses.
In a dynamic first period, neither team could score, thanks to superb goaltending. Medvedev, familiar with the venue where he achieved his initial OHL win on September 29, 2024, blocked 12 shots in the first period alone. Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day made nine saves for Flint.
London played short-handed, missing five players attending the World Junior Hockey Championship and two others due to illness. Noah Abolflan opened the scoring in the second period with a deft redirection of a Cam Allen shot. Andoni Fimis added his first OHL goal early in the third, followed by Henry Brzustewicz and P.J. Fagan, who extended the lead to 4-0 swiftly.
Flint’s lone goal came from Connor Clattenburg with less than two minutes remaining. Despite going 0-for-3 on power plays, London successfully nullified Flint’s five opportunities with an effective penalty kill.
The Knights’ defense leads the OHL offensively, amassing more points than any other team. Spearheaded by standout performances from Sam Dickinson and teammates, the defenders have collectively scored 122 points. Their formidable lineup will see an enhancement with Cam Allen’s return.
London prepares for their traditional end-of-year home-and-home series against Sarnia, with matches scheduled for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Coverage of the games begins at 1:30 p.m. on December 31 on 980 CFPL.
