Through 12 games, the Nationals have just one blemish.
A single loss a month ago was mired in controversy. St. Marys was given credit for a tide-turning tally – despite the puck never actually entering the net – and it ruined London’s home opener.
“It’s going to be another tough battle in our conference this year.”
London, Leamington and St. Marys have built on their effective opening months. Both the Nationals and Lincolns look a little different than that previous meeting.
Every Junior B team can carry up to five players who have 68 games of OHL experience. Martin counts toward that total and so does former Kitchener Rangers forward Eric Guest, who has four goals and seven points in his first four games back with the Nationals.
Guest took a break from the game after leaving Kitchener last season, but told Powers he was motivated to perform well at the Junior B level this year. He played a handful of games for London as a minor midget call-up in 2015.
“I reassured him he would have that stability and opportunity with us,” Powers said, “and grow into the player he wants to be.”
He left a Sutherland Cup contender in Caledonia, but it’s pretty clear the Nationals have that kind of potential again, too.