KNIGHTS GOING FOR SERIES WIN AT HOME
Knights Going for Series Win at Home
By Yannis Economopoulos
LONDON, Ont. – On Wednesday night, the London Knights defeated the Saginaw Spirit 7-3 to take a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Final. Tonight, on home ice, the Green and Gold have an opportunity to advance to the OHL Championship.
Scouting the Knights (11-1-0) Sam O’Reilly (2G, 2A) exploded for a four-point performance in Game 4 on Wednesday. The NHL draft-eligible forward, who has five points in his last three outings, put up a 56-point rookie campaign and has seven this postseason. With three assists on Wednesday, Max McCue has extended his point streak to three games – notching five in that span. The Sudbury, Ont. product’s 14 playoff points are tied for second on the team. Oliver Bonk (1G, 1A), Isaiah George (1G, 1A), and Easton Cowan (1G, 1A), who was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player on Thursday afternoon, each tallied two points in the Game 4 win.
Postseason Special Teams (Remaining Teams)
- Power play: 27.5% (1st)
- Penalty kill: 80% (3rd)
Know the Foe – Saginaw Spirit (9-6-0) The Saginaw Spirit swept the Owen Sound Attack in round one, then defeated the Soo Greyhounds in round two to advance to the Western Conference final. Owen Beck (1G, 1A), a Montreal Canadiens prospect, recorded two points on Wednesday to give himself three in his last two outings. The Port Hope, Ont. native is in a three-way tie for the team lead in postseason points (13). Calem Mangone (1G, 1A), who also has 13 playoff points, registered two in Game 4 to extend his point streak to three. The 5-foot-9 winger had 63 points on 22 goals and 41 assists in the regular season.
Postseason Special Teams (Remaining Teams)
- Power play: 16.4% (4th)
- Penalty kill: 77.8% (4th)
The puck drops from Budweiser Gardens at 7:00 p.m. EST.