Life Without Naz

The London Knights knew the day would come when they wouldn’t be able to rely on Nazem Kadri to bust down the wing and score a big goal for their team.

With that day now here, many figured the Knights would become one of the forgotten teams in the OHL.

However, through solid drafting and trade pieces, they have been able to keep afloat in the ultra competitive Midwest division.

Even with a loss to the Kitchener Rangers Sunday night, the Knights are only four points removed from a second place tie with their rival.

How have they done it?

A balanced attack up front – not one Knight is in the top-25 in league scoring,  a commitment to defence, and solid goaltending from Michael Houser (8-4-1-1).

As mentioned, gone is the presence of Kadri, who is enjoying a fine season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, scoring four goals and nine points in his first eleven games.

A critical part of the Knights’ success over the last two seasons, Kadri leaves behind 120 points in 68 games –including playoffs – from last season.  It’s something the Knights are finding hard to adjust to.

“Naz is definitely a huge loss,” said defenceman Michael D’Orazio.  “He’s definitely a threat out there every time he’s on the ice.”

However, D’Orazio went on to say that even with the void Kadri left, and a slow start, they have finally started to find their way.

“As a team, we have three good scoring lines and they all have to up their game and contribute up front,” said the 20-year old Assistant Captain.  “We were having trouble at the beginning of the season, but they seem to be doing well now and need to keep it up.”

With the offence going on all cylinders, it’s the lack of defence that has now come to the forefront of the Knights game.

A lack of defence that has left them with three straight losses – a combined 17 goals against during that stretch – and a bunch of question marks going into a new week.

D’Orazio said that he and the Knights are taking it all in stride, and that it’s all apart of the up’s and down’s of a season.

“That’s the beauty of the OHL,” he said.  “Some nights you have off nights, but we chose to have three in three games.  I think we’ll be fine.”

As for the rivalry with Kitchener?

D’Orazio says there is no love loss, and believes they will end up ahead of the Rangers by the end of the season.

“I think we’re a better team than them,” he said.  “We didn’t show it tonight [Sunday], and we didn’t show it the other night in London.  I think we’ll keep up the pace with them and hopefully pass them by the end of the season.”

And they’ll have to do it without one of the most prolific scorers in team history.