GAME PREVIEW: Western Conference Final Game 2 vs. London
London, Ont. — The Saginaw Spirit and London Knights meet back at Budweiser Gardens for Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday afternoon.
Tonight’s Game:
Puck drop is at 2:00 PM
Broadcast:
Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 467
Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com
Head to Head:
The Knights took Game 1 on Friday night, 3-1 over the visiting Saginaw Spirit. Saginaw’s Rodwin Dionicio scored first late in the first period for a lead that would stand until the third. London responded with three straight goals period three, finishing with a 3-1 victory. Kasper Halttunen scored twice for the Knights, and Easton Cowan iced the game with his third goal of the playoffs on the empty netter. Nolan Lalonde started for Saginaw, stopping 27 of 29, while London’s Michael Simpson stopped 30 of 31 shots.
Players to Watch:
Owen Beck leads the Spirit in points (10), netting two goals and eight assists. Calem Mangone leads in goals (5), including two game-winners in the Spirit’s previous series against the Soo Greyhounds. Rodwin Dionicio (4G, 5A) and Josh Bloom (3G, 6A) have connected nine points thus far, and Jorian Donovan stands fifth in the league at +11. Nolan Lalonde has made the last seven starts for Saginaw, putting up a 2.74 GAA, a .897 SV%, and winning three games.
Kasper Halttunen leads the Knights in points (13) and goals (8), including two in Game 1 of the current series. Denver Barkey’s nine assists led the team and tied him for seventh in the postseason. Jacob Julien and Easton Cowan both continue to impress on special teams, with Julien notching four powerplay goals (first in the OHL Playoffs) and Cowan collecting six powerplay assists (tied for second in the OHL Playoffs). Michael Simpson has started all nine games for the Knights, sporting a 2.28 GAA, a .915 SV%, nine wins, and one shutout.