KNIGHTS vs FIREBIRDS | ROUND ONE GAME ONE

Lawrence propels the Knights to a 1-0 series lead

By Yannis Economopoulos

LONDON, ON – Kaleb Lawrence helped the top-seeded London Knights earn a 1-0 series lead after his two-goal outing led the team to a 3-0 win against the Flint Firebirds at Budweiser Gardens on Friday night.

The overage forward, acquired by London (1-0-0) just before the trade deadline, got the sellout crowd on their feet in under four minutes of play by using his long reach for a tidy wraparound finish. In the second period, he put the Knights ahead 2-0 on a backhand shot in front of the net that beat the blocker of Flint (0-1-0) netminder Nathan Day.

In his first postseason appearance as a Knight, Michael Simpson, the reigning playoff MVP, recorded a 23-save shutout. The hometown goaltender posted a 34-10-1-1 record, a .905 save percentage (T-3rd), 2.61 goals against average (1st), and four shutouts (T-1st) in the regular season.

Late in the final frame, Easton Cowan buried an empty net goal to make it 3-0 London.

After Lawrence’s second marker, Sam Dickinson and Jacob Julien took simultaneous penalties that gave Flint a two-man advantage that London killed. However, just under a minute in, Cowan drew a holding call that would result in 4-on-3 action.

During 4-on-3 play, Firebirds forward Nolan Dann blasted a one-timer toward the open net, but Simpson denied him by sliding across and flashing his glove.

Despite losing, Day put on a solid 17-save performance in his ninth career playoff appearance. The Grimsby, Ont. native has a 3-3-1 postseason record to go along with his 3.41 goals against average and .887 save percentage.

Game 2 is at 2:00 on Sunday afternoon.