Knights move on; Lightning keep pace with Sudbury

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Apr. 3-10) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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London Knights

The Knights clinched a spot in the second round of the OHL playoffs by completing a sweep of the Owen Sound Attack in four games last week, winning the finale last Thursday on the road.

With a 2-0 series lead to start the week, London had to work extra hard to claim Game 3, winning 3-2 in overtime. Down 1-0 late in the first period, Denver Barkey tied the game at the 18:23 mark on a goal assisted by Ethan MacKinnon and Landon Sim. Barkey scored again on the powerplay less than a minute into the second period, but the Attack responded with a powerplay goal of their own late in the frame. After a scoreless third, the teams headed to overtime, where it took just over 13 minutes to decide a winner. Thanks to Ryan Humphrey’s goal (assisted by Logan Mailloux and MacKinnon), it was London who came out on top.

After a close game Tuesday, the Knights closed out the series with a convincing 5-0 win on Thursday in Owen Sound. London built a 2-0 lead in the first period, with Ryan Winterton scoring the opener (and eventual game-winner) and Connor Federkow adding another. After a scoreless second period, the Knights’ offense came alive again in the third, scoring three times (two from Mailloux and Winterton’s second of the game) to cruise to the series-winning victory. Brett Brochu earned the shutout in net.

Up next:

The Knights will now renew their rivalry with the Kitchener Rangers in the second round of the OHL playoffs after the Rangers swept the first-place Windsor Spitfires in four straight in a shocking upset. These two teams met in the first round of last year’s postseason, with the Rangers winning that series in seven games. The Knights had the Rangers’ number during the regular season this year, winning the season series 5-1. London will host Games 1 and 2 on Thursday and Friday before heading to The Aud in Kitchener for Game 3 on Sunday.

OHL Playoffs (2nd Round) - London Knights (2) vs. Kitchener Rangers (8) (best-of-7 series)
Game 1: Thurs. Apr. 13 (7:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)
Game 2: Fri. Apr. 14 (7:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)
Game 3: Sun. Apr. 16 (2:00pm @ Kitchener Rangers)
Game 4: Tues. Apr. 18 (7:00pm @ Kitchener Rangers)
Game 5: Thurs. Apr. 20 (7:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers) (if necessary)
Game 6: Sun. Apr. 23 (2:00pm @ Kitchener Rangers) (if necessary)
Game 7: Tues. Apr. 25 (7:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers) (if necessary)

London Lightning

The Lightning played just one game last week, beating the KW Titans 102-94 on Saturday night at Budweiser Gardens. From the time they took a 6-4 lead early in the contest, the Lightning never trailed in a convincing win over a Titans squad that is better than their current record indicates.

Jermaine Haley Jr. returned from a multi-game absence due to illness and was a force for the Lightning, putting up 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in 45 minutes in the win (for his efforts, Haley was named NBLC Player of the Week, the fifth time a Lightning player has received the honour this year).

Jordan Burns, who also played heavy minutes (44), scored 23 points in London’s win, adding six assists and four rebounds. Terry Thomas had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Amir Williams, who fouled out in the fourth quarter, had 11 points and five boards in just 23 minutes.

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The Lightning (18-6) are back in action Wednesday — against this very same KW Titans squad. In fact, they’ll play the Titans four times in a three-week span — all on the road. London trails Sudbury (18-5) by a half-game in the NBLC standings entering a new week.

Wed. Apr. 12 (7:00pm @ KW Titans)

London Jr. Knights

Fresh off a successful — if bittersweet — trip to the OHL Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals and lost to the eventual champions (Toronto Jr. Canadiens), the London Jr. Knights 16U ‘AAA’ squad returned to ALLIANCE action last week, beginning their championship series against the Waterloo Wolves.

Things didn’t get off to a great start for the Jr. Knights, who lost the opener at home, 4-1, on Wednesday. After a scoreless first period, the Wolves opened the scoring 5:36 into the second. After Waterloo went up 2-0, London’s Ryan Roobroeck responded with his 14th of the playoffs to bring the Jr. Knights back to within a goal. But that’s all the scoring London could muster, while the Wolves added two more for the win.

In Waterloo for Game 2 on Saturday, the Wolves kept up the pressure on the Jr. Knights, who finished first in ALLIANCE standings during the regular season. After a scoreless first period for the second straight game, it was the Jr. Knights who opened the scoring this time, with Roobroeck again doing the honours. But it was all Waterloo after that. They tied the game before the second intermission, and then scored three unanswered goals in the third to earn a convincing win.

Facing a series loss Sunday, the Jr. Knights responded with a win to keep their championship hopes alive. Aiden Young, who starred at the OHL Cup, scored in the first period to get London off on the right foot. Following a scoreless second period, captain Ethan Weir put London up 2-0 with his fifth goal of the playoffs. The Wolves scored a late goal, but it wasn’t enough, as the Jr. Knights extended the series to a Game 4 at least.

That game happens Wednesday night (Apr. 12) in Waterloo. If necessary, a Game 5 will happen Friday back in London, with a Game 6 (if necessary) back in Waterloo on Saturday.

Video: Paul Culliton / Joint Media Group Inc.